A North Carolina teenager was rescued from a kidnapping thanks to a hand signal she learned on the popular social media app TikTok.
A driver on Kentucky’s Interstate 75 saw the 16-year-old inside a silver Toyota gesturing to other drivers with the hand signal repeatedly. The driver followed the car for seven miles until Laurel County police were able to intercept the vehicle.
She seemed to be in distress.
The teenage girl’s alleged kidnapper, James Herbert Brick, 61, of Cherokee, N.C., was arrested and charged with unlawful imprisonment and possession of a minor in a sexual manner.
She was reported missing by her parents from Asheville, N.C. two days earlier according to the Laurel Country Sheriff’s office.
“I really believe that this girl’s life was saved,” police spokesman, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said.
According to the young girl’s statement, she had traveled with Brick through North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.
Police found a phone in Brick’s possession that “allegedly portrayed a juvenile female in a sexual manner,” Root continued.
The girl, her parents and the police have the Canadian Women’s Foundation to thank for the hand signal. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women from all ages experiencing violence and poverty.
Here’s how it works.
The driver kept alerting the authorities for every mile marker he passed which was of great help for the officers.
Local cops then didn’t know what the signal meant, but they do now. It’s a good thing that driver knew and took the initiative to follow Brick’s Toyota until help arrived.
The help signal is easy.
Just hold up a palm facing the person you’re talking to. Then tuck your thumb into your palm, and fold your fingers down over your thumb, “trapping” it in. You can do it subtly.
It’s a hand signal that’s becoming more popular globally and we’re glad it is!
A viewer is thankful as well, saying,
“To the motorist who recognized the hand signal, THANK YOU!! The young lady was fortunate that you happened to be on the highway at that time. What a blessing you have been. Again, THANK YOU.”
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SIGNAL
Isolation can increase the risk of violence at home. Use this discrete gesture during a video call to show you need help:
1. Hold hand up with palm facing other person.
2. Tuck thumb into palm.
3. Fold fingers down over thumb. pic.twitter.com/gsIgSbXOmc— Halton Police (@HaltonPolice) August 24, 2021
The response to the rescue thanks to the hand signal has been overwhelmingly positive.
Coronavirus lockdowns saw an increase in rates of domestic violence, with some victims dying at the hands of their abuser. TikTok users have since gone on to continuously share the hand gesture for awareness.
So remember. Palm, Tuck, Trap.
It also helps to keep an eye out for suspicious activity especially when there are women or young girls in your vicinity. You never know when someone needs help. Pay it forward.
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