When a man and a teenage girl boarded a flight from Seattle to San Francisco, flight attendant Shelia Frederick of Alaska Airlines immediately sensed something was off. The man was well-dressed, while the girl appeared unkempt and avoided eye contact. As Shelia continued her duties, an unsettling feeling about the situation grew stronger. Determined to act, she devised a courageous plan—one that ultimately saved the young girl from a dangerous fate.
On February 6, 2017, Shelia became a hero. She first attempted to make eye contact with the girl while serving snacks, but the girl remained withdrawn. Trusting her instincts, Shelia confided in a colleague, and together they worked to distract the man while Shelia tried to communicate with the girl.
Finally, their eyes met, and Shelia saw something heartbreaking in the girl’s expression. Overwhelmed, she stepped away to compose herself. Then, she had a brilliant idea—she left a pen and a piece of paper inside one of the airplane’s restrooms and discreetly indicated to the girl that it was meant for her.
With her colleague keeping the man occupied, Shelia watched anxiously. When the girl finally went to the restroom, Shelia stayed close by. After the girl emerged, Shelia checked the note and found a chilling response: “I need help.”
Without hesitation, Shelia alerted the pilot, who quickly contacted ground control. By the time the plane landed, authorities were waiting to arrest the man.
Shelia has since kept in touch with the girl, who is now attending university, as reported by The Western Journal. Reflecting on the experience, Shelia urges others to trust their instincts and take action when something doesn’t seem right.
“If you see something, say something.”
Share this story to honor Shelia Frederick’s bravery—her actions remind us that one person’s courage can change a life forever.
