Kidnapped woman rescued by two teens after they notice her mouthing "help me" from car

With global challenges on the rise, being vigilant about our surroundings has become crucial. Often, even the most subtle signs can indicate someone in need or serve as an important warning.

Two observant teenagers demonstrated this when they saved a woman’s life a decade ago. Aaron Arias, then 19, and Jamal Harris, then 17, were driving through Dallas, Texas to pick up a friend when they spotted a young woman in the backseat of a nearby car. Harris, from the passenger seat, noticed the woman and thought she was "attractive." To their astonishment, she seemed to be mouthing words at them. According to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, Harris quickly understood that she was asking for help.

The publication obtained the 911 tape of the incident, which revealed that the teens initially made eye contact with the woman and noticed her serious expression. They saw her mouthing "help me" from inside the car. At first, they thought it might be a prank and considered ignoring it. However, after observing the driver, they felt something was amiss. They promptly called 911 and began following the vehicle. "Yes, I'm on the highway...I'm witnessing a robbery; not a robbery... a kidnapping," Aaron Arias told a Kaufman County Sheriff's Office dispatcher. "It's me and another guy, so we're checking out the girl in the backseat because, we're like, 'OK, she's kind of attractive.' And then, all of the sudden, you know, the guy is turned back, looking at us," they told the 911 operator.

Observing the man's erratic driving, the teens felt certain something was wrong. Arias noted that the woman appeared panicked and was "saying, 'Help me,' or something, whispering it." They followed the car for 20 minutes until authorities intercepted the vehicle. The driver, identified as Charles Atkins Lewis, was a kidnapper responsible for multiple abductions. The woman was rescued safely and showed her gratitude by hugging the teens. "She hugs us...I would describe it as the best hug I have ever gotten," Arias recalled.

Arias and Jamal have been hailed as heroes for their courage and alertness. When asked about being considered a hero, Arias responded, "She says we saved her life. I guess you could say we did. But I don't want to be that person who says they're a hero."

Editor's note: This article was originally published on November 29, 2023. It has since been updated.