In a shocking incident parents allegedly abandon 10-year-old at Barcelona airport over expired passport

Parents Allegedly Abandon 10-Year-Old at Barcelona Airport Over Expired Passport

A deeply unsettling incident unfolded at Barcelona-El Prat Airport recently, where a couple reportedly left their 10-year-old son behind at the terminal after discovering his passport had expired, choosing instead to board their flight without him. The case has sparked outrage online and raised serious concerns about child safety and parental responsibility during international travel.

The story gained traction after a viral TikTok video was posted by Lilian, an air traffic controller and terminal employee, who shared details of the event. The video, which has amassed over 300,000 views, condemned the parents’ decision and described the moment authorities were alerted to the child being left alone.

According to Lilian, the child had two passports in his possession — one of them expired, and the other a Spanish passport requiring a visa that hadn’t been arranged. Instead of delaying their trip or staying with their son, the parents allegedly called a relative to pick him up later and proceeded to board the flight with another younger child.

“The explanation given to the authorities was that the boy couldn't travel because of a missing visa,” Lilian said in Spanish. “So they just left him in the terminal and informed a family member to collect him later.”

Airport staff became suspicious when they noticed the child alone and quickly alerted security and police. Upon questioning, the boy told authorities that his parents were already on the flight, headed back to their home country for vacation. The aircraft’s pilot was immediately contacted, and the parents’ luggage was removed from the flight.

The couple was escorted to the airport police station for questioning, turning what should have been a routine departure into a law enforcement matter.

“I’ve seen many things in my career,” Lilian remarked in disbelief, “but nothing like this. How can parents leave their 10-year-old behind due to a visa issue and act like it's normal?”

She added that while the parents seemed to treat the situation casually, airport authorities and police did not, initiating immediate protocol to ensure the child’s safety.

At present, it is unclear whether the parents have been formally charged or if legal proceedings will follow. The event has nevertheless triggered widespread criticism online, with many calling for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.