Alert Airline Passenger Prevents Child Sexual Abuse

[AGBF]

An alert airline passenger (a pre-school teacher) prevented child sexual abuse by reporting the text messages she saw on the screen of a fellow passenger while they were in the air. The police were able to apprehend his female accomplice on the ground before she was able to carry out the acts they had discussed on the children. The FBI is handling this now.

Excerpted from "The Washington Post".

"A preschool teacher buckled in for the two-hour flight from Seattle to San Jose noticed something on the cellphone screen of a fellow passenger that set off alarms. According to police, the unnamed woman began following along as the man in the seat ahead swapped messages about sexually molesting children.

Thanks to the young teacher’s alert action, the man and another woman were arrested quickly Monday. Two children — ages 5 and 7 — have been identified by authorities as the likely potential victims. Police say without the teacher’s intervention, the abuse could have gone undetected."

Link...https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...t-messages/?tid=pm_pop&utm_term=.d8a17165af1c

AGBF

 

[Platinum-blonde]

Oh my goodness! Words can't describe the thoughts that are running through my head right now...how can people be so sick.

Anyway, thank goodness that lady was able to see the texts. I can't imagine having to sit, for however long, quietly while seeing those messages. She saved those children... Wow!

 

[Austina]

Disgusting perverts, thank goodness they were stopped.

 

[VRBeauty]

Wow! So many things went right in this scenario... so glad for those kids and the others this pair would no doubt have victimized in the future.

 

[Queenie60]

This confirms my thoughts. More people should find it in themselves to say something when things don't seem to be quite right. So many turn their heads and don't want to get involved. Admiration for this teacher and glad these sick child abusers were caught.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Let me begin by saying that I could not be happier that these children are no longer being abused and that the abusers will be brought to justice.

But--and I am fully prepared to be lambasted for this--is anyone disturbed by the fact that a total stranger was reading someone's personal text messages? Of course in this case the end results seems to merit the intrusion. But what about when it doesn't? Is anyone else concerned that the next hero wanna be is going to go looking over shoulders at things they have no business in? Things, that could be taken way out of context BTW. And AGAIN, I do understand THESE circumstances. And I do understand that in THIS instance things worked out for the good. However I can see this no always being the case.

Here's an example: Right after we go The Demon Bill accidentally closed the door to our walk in closet with the dog still in there. The Demon used to follow bill EVERYWHERE so be probably walked into the closet with Bill and when Bill left he pulled the door closed. A while later we realized what happened and found The Demon happily lounging on a pile of dirty laundry (that he had pulled out of the hamper to make his bed, but that is another matter). So the joke between us for years whenever we couldn't find The Demon was "Did you lock our son in the closet again?" Imagine if you are behind me on the tarmac and see that on my text screen. Are the cops going to show up at my house and handcuff my husband because someone who had no idea what was going on got over zealous and dialed 911?

I know, I know -- entirely different matters. But think it through. I am sure the argument can be made that it's better for cops to be deployed to find out that a potential something is nothing that to NOT be deployed and have children abused. I get it. But I still don't want people reading my personal private stuff.

 

[telephone89]

@Dee*Jay The first thing I thought when I read this was something like "wow creepy..Going to start being more secretive about my phone in public" lol. You are not alone. glad it saved some kids, but dont want anyone reading over my shoulder =/

 

[AGBF]

Let me begin by saying that I could not be happier that these children are no longer being abused and that the abusers will be brought to justice.

But--and I am fully prepared to be lambasted for this--is anyone disturbed by the fact that a total stranger was reading someone's personal text messages? Of course in this case the end results seems to merit the intrusion. But what about when it doesn't? Is anyone else concerned that the next hero wanna be is going to go looking over shoulders at things they have no business in? Things, that could be taken way out of context BTW. And AGAIN, I do understand THESE circumstances. And I do understand that in THIS instance things worked out for the good. However I can see this no always being the case.

Here's an example: Right after we go The Demon Bill accidentally closed the door to our walk in closet with the dog still in there. The Demon used to follow bill EVERYWHERE so be probably walked into the closet with Bill and when Bill left he pulled the door closed. A while later we realized what happened and found The Demon happily lounging on a pile of dirty laundry (that he had pulled out of the hamper to make his bed, but that is another matter). So the joke between us for years whenever we couldn't find The Demon was "Did you lock our son in the closet again?" Imagine if you are behind me on the tarmac and see that on my text screen. Are the cops going to show up at my house and handcuff my husband because someone who had no idea what was going on got over zealous and dialed 911?

I know, I know -- entirely different matters. But think it through. I am sure the argument can be made that it's better for cops to be deployed to find out that a potential something is nothing that to NOT be deployed and have children abused. I get it. But I still don't want people reading my personal private stuff.

You make a great point, Dee*Jay. I have to confess that it never occurred to me. Perhaps because I do not have a Smart Phone. But I certainly laugh on the phone with my best friend. We engage in lots and lots of black humor; we laugh over the things our bi-polar adult children have done over the years. Just a day ago I asked her why her son would have thrown away a gorgeous oak table and matching set of chairs she had in her Connecticut home. (She had bought these when we were out shopping together years ago and had always treasured them.) She told me that he had been told to "clean up" and was "cleaning up". I started getting loud saying that I shouldn't ask given my daughter had cut up an 18K gold Tiffany bracelet and put the pieces down the bathroom sink so that nobody would see them. Then we went on to other exploits. Anyone who overheard us might have thought...anything. And people cannot tell fantasy from reality if one is writing something private. next time someone could be writing fantasy....

Trust you to be thoughtful!!!

Deb

BTW, our Newfie locked himself in our bathroom when we first got him. I couldn't find him anywhere!

 

[Bonfire]

@Dee*Jay The first thing I thought when I read this was something like "wow creepy..Going to start being more secretive about my phone in public" lol. You are not alone. glad it saved some kids, but dont want anyone reading over my shoulder =/

The emphasis on "public". If this dumb*** is going to do this in a close quarters environment... Or anyone else for that matter txting innocent messages. You ARE in public! Anyone can read what you are doing. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out (not directed at you telephone!) Being constantly engaged in our devices ensures our privacy is being breeched. Not all pervs are hidden away in their basements on a laptop. I applaud this women for saying something.

 

[monarch64]

I'm trying to figure out how she was able to see the person's cell phone if she was buckled into the seat behind him. I can understand if he were sitting beside her, but in front of her? I'm tall and I can't see over the seats in coach...the alignment had to have been just right, I guess. Anyway, glad these a-holes were caught before they did the deed. Yuck.

To Dee Jay's point, don't sext in public, people!

 

[Austina]

I think the fact this person was able to read the texts, speaks more of the arrogance of the perv bragging and boasting of what he was intending to do, than the other person snooping, or infringing on his privacy.

 

[Bonfire]

Who hasn't been on a flight and casually glanced across the aisle and up a row to the person working on their laptop? Does that make me intrusive? What is private and what is public domain?

 

[Dee*Jay]

I think that in the example you gave Bonfire (and not picking on you, just going with your line of conversation), if you look at my laptop to the degree that you can figure out what's going on there -- which is almost certainly no business of anyone else at that plane but mine -- then yes, I do find it intrusive. I have spent many a flight composing many a powerpoint on a topic that could indeed include material nonpublic information (and anyone else here in the financial industry will have had their skin prickle at that phrase). Because that's the way the world works now -- we are virtually a 24/7 functioning society so if I can take advantage of the redeye from LAX or ORD that will land me at 5:50 am to make a 7:30 am meeting in the loop and polish the last details on the presentation, I will.* And if you look over my shoulder at the info and insider trade on it, I will hold the door open for the Feds when they arrive for you with an arrest warrant.

This is an extreme example, but I'm showing this intrusion concept goes in a lot of directions. In the case of the abused children the intrusion was used for good. In another case it may be used for a nefarious purpose. One *should* be careful, but in the scenario I'm using, is it appropriate for someone to be looking over my shoulder? No. If I'm streaming eye catching light popping **** that directs your attention to my screen, well shame on me. But if I'm working on a spreadsheet, document, presentation, or any other common business format, mind your own business.

(*As a compliance officer in the financial industry for over 20 years I take great precautions, including looking around as my fellow travelers in a scenario like this, minimizing my screen to the the point that I can barely see it -- let alone someone else, and making an informed decision about whether it may be wiser to NOT engage in that sort of work. This example is being used for discussion purposes and does not in any way imply that I behave recklessly with my work, or my personal affairs for that matter, in a setting where things can be observed.)

 

[Dee*Jay]

Deb, my apologies -- I have gone off on a tangent.

I better go and see if Bill has locked our son in the closet again...

 

[Elizabeth35]

When you travel on business, and I did, you accept that when you are in an airport or on a plane or in the frequent flyer lounge, you need to protect your proprietary information. This means either not communicating if you don't have total privacy or using a privacy screen.
I am amazed at people who work on planes when your screen is viewable by people next to you or behind you. Same for people watching R or X rated movies on a plane.
WE CAN SEE YOUR SCREEN!

Thank God this person reported what she saw--and it was visible because, from my understanding, the man had his text display set to super large.
Don't text anything on a plane, train, bus or other close quarters that you want kept private. People see what you are doing in close quarters.

 

[Bonfire]

Eyes are everywhere. Security cameras are watching us in places we aren't always aware of. Whatever you do in a public place, especially in an enclosed space, is going to be seen by someone. Situational awareness is our own responsibility.

 

[VRBeauty]

When you travel on business, and I did, you accept that when you are in an airport or on a plane or in the frequent flyer lounge, you need to protect your proprietary information. This means either not communicating if you don't have total privacy or using a privacy screen.
I am amazed at people who work on planes when your screen is viewable by people next to you or behind you. Same for people watching R or X rated movies on a plane.
WE CAN SEE YOUR SCREEN!

Don't text anything on a plane, train, bus or other close quarters that you want kept private. People see what you are doing in close quarters.

This! I was taught the same about the paper documents I bring out to work on or review, way back before laptops and cell phones!

As to the woman seeing the messages from the row behind, a couple of thoughts come to mind. First, it's possible that the guy was holding the phone close to his face, to prevent those sitting next to him from glancing down and reading his texts - and that in doing so, he was inadvertently giving this woman a great view of the screen. Also the large screen might have indicated bad eyesight, but its also possible that he was flirting with the danger of getting caught because it contributed to his sense of power etc.

Anyhow, I'm sick of having to
listen in on people's most private conversations just because I happen to be searching for jeans on the other side of the rack from them, or trying on jeans I'm the dressing room next to theirs, so no sympathy here...

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I read this morning on Daily Mail that the guy was sending the text messages to a woman who is an associate of his. Apparently she was a babysitter for two kids five and seven, and there is evidence they have been sexually abused already.

Makes me absolutely sick, this right here is why I don't leave my kids with anyone. You just do not know what people are up to these days.

This may sound harsh to some but these two need to go directly to the electric chair, there is no rehabbing people this depraved and then at least we don't have to pay for them to sit and rot in jail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4771364/Court-docs-reveal-explicit-texts-plot-rape-kids.html