Otopeni Airport, Bucharest – A routine patrol turned into a dramatic rescue on a recent hectic Saturday evening at Otopeni Airport’s Terminal B, thanks to the keen senses of a German Shepherd named Rex and his handler, Lena. Their swift action foiled an alleged child trafficking attempt, saving a young girl who had been missing for days.
Lena, a dedicated volunteer with the canine unit, was walking Rex through the bustling terminal as travelers hurried to catch their flights. Near a quiet corner by Gate B, a nondescript brown suitcase caught her eye. Rex immediately became agitated, sniffing the bag intensely before sitting beside it and letting out a soft whimper—a clear signal of danger.
Lena quickly alerted the intervention team, and the area was secured within moments. Surveillance footage revealed a man abandoning the suitcase before disappearing into the crowd. A palpable tension hung in the air as officers cautiously unzipped the bag. Inside, curled among old toys and clothes, was a silent little girl, no older than five.
A tearful officer knelt and gently asked her name. “Ana,” she whispered. Authorities soon confirmed that Ana had been missing for three days, reported taken from a park by her frantic mother. Investigators suspect she was part of a trafficking ring attempting to smuggle her via cargo, and that the suspect likely fled upon noticing Rex’s approach. It was a chilling reminder of how narrowly Ana escaped a devastating fate.
Ana was immediately taken to the hospital. Though dehydrated and scared, she was otherwise unharmed. That evening, her mother, Irina, arrived, weeping as she embraced Lena. “You saved my child’s life,” she sobbed, “I’ll never forget this.” Even Rex, sensing the immense relief, leaned into the hug.
The following day, a photo of Rex proudly sitting beside the suitcase circulated widely, making headlines across the country. “A Dog, a Heart, and a Life Saved at the Last Moment,” read one. Lena was invited to numerous talk shows, though she consistently shied away from the spotlight. Rex, however, became a national symbol of hope, celebrated as a true hero to an entire nation for his singular, life-saving act.