Story at a glance
- A missing teenager was rescued after a driver in a passing car noticed her using a hand gesture signaling distress.
- The driver spotted the 16-year-old Nov. 4 near London, Ky. and called police.
- Authorities were able to conduct a traffic stop where they learned the girl was reported missing by her parents days earlier.
A missing teenager was rescued after a driver in a passing car noticed her using a hand gesture signaling distress.
The driver spotted the 16-year-old Nov. 4 near London, Ky. and called police, saying he saw “a female passenger in the vehicle making hand gestures that are known on the social media platform TikTok to represent violence at home – I need help – domestic violence,” according to a statement from the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
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
Police positioned themselves to watch for the silver Toyota, while the reporting driver continued to follow the vehicle to monitor its location.
Authorities were able to conduct a traffic stop where they learned the girl was reported missing by her parents days earlier.
The missing teen told investigators she travelled through North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and into Ohio with 61-year-old James Herbert Brick. When Brick’s relatives in Ohio realized the girl was underage and missing, Brick left with the girl who then began using the distress gesture, according to police.
Brick was arrested at the scene and charged with unlawful imprisonment.
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The distress gesture used by the missing teen was reportedly launched by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, which recognized the need for a discrete signal amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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