A missing girl has been rescued after displaying a distress signal to a passing by motorist, made popular on TikTok! The 16-year-old tricked her kidnapper into believing she was just waving hello yet wasn't aware the "hide your thumb then trap your thumb" was a distress signal. The hand gesture represents violence at home – I need help – domestic violence.”
Authorities said the 16-year-old girl was sitting in the passenger seat of a Toyota Camry at a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in southern Kentucky Thursday afternoon when she made the gesture.
The savvy driver noticed the teen’s cry for help and called 911. The driver also followed the distressed teen providing authorities updates on their location.
Authorities were able to track down the distressed teen and arrested 61-year-old James Herbert Brick of Cherokee, North Carolina. Brick was reportedly on his way to visit relatives in Ohio with the abducted teen. Authorities stated they found a photo of a girl being portrayed sexually on his phone at the time of his arrest.
Brick was taken to the Laurel County Correctional Center and charged with unlawful imprisonment and possession of matter showing sex performances by a minor.