Missing Teen Rescued After Using TikTok Hand Signal For Help

A passerby saw her making hand gestures that are known on the social media platform TikTok to represent "violence at home"

A 16-year-old girl was rescued after she used a hand signal learned from TikTok to alert she was in danger. The teenager had been reported missing from North Carolina, USA, on November 2, Tuesday. She was spotted inside a car two days later in Kentucky. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SIGNALIsolation 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

According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, the teenager was inside a silver-colored Toyota car when a passerby saw her making hand gestures that are known on the social media platform TikTok to represent "violence at home - I need help - domestic violence". 

"The complainant advised 911 that the female appeared to be in distress. In addition, the complainant noted that the vehicle was being driven by a male subject," police said in a statement.