The flight attendant noticed how a 10-year-old boy

Something in the boy’s gaze disturbed the flight attendant: it was filled with unease and a silent cry for help.

Later, when the man stood up and headed to the restroom, the boy repeated the same gesture. But this time – with desperation. His eyes were full of fear.

Ana stopped. She recognized that sign. She had taken courses about the hand signals children can use when in danger. This was a signal for help.

Without arousing suspicion, she approached him and, smiling, handed him a glass of apple juice.

— It’s your favorite, isn’t it?

The boy nodded, taking the glass with trembling hands. He looked around again – as if afraid the man would return.

When the man came back, he threw Ana a scrutinizing look. His forehead was sweaty, even though the cabin’s air conditioning was working perfectly. He sat down and immediately fixed his gaze on the child, then on his phone.

Ana felt her pulse quicken.

Without drawing attention, she passed a note to the pilots through a colleague: “Possible abduction. Row 3A. Child giving distress signal. Man – suspicious behavior. Request emergency landing and police presence at the airport.”

Ten minutes later, the captain announced: “Due to a technical malfunction, we are forced to make an unscheduled landing in Sibiu.”

The man became visibly uneasy. He again asked to go to the restroom. But in the aisle, two security agents were already waiting for him, notified in advance by the crew.

As they escorted him out, he shouted:

— You don’t understand! He’s my son! I have the documents with me!

But the documents turned out to be false.

Down below, the boy was awaited by police officers and a representative from child protection services. When they gently asked if he knew that man, the child shook his head no and burst into tears.

Later it was discovered that he had been abducted a few weeks earlier from another country. He was wanted by Interpol and local authorities, but no one expected him to be found on a flight.

Ana stood at the airplane door, watching as the boy was led to a safe place. He turned back, met her eyes — and this time simply raised his hand and smiled.