In a truly astonishing display of self-interest, a Spanish couple reportedly abandoned their 10-year-old son at Barcelona's El Prat Airport after they discovered his passport had expired, opting to continue their vacation rather than cancel the trip. The shocking incident came to light after the boy was found wandering alone and confused through the airport terminal.

According to air traffic controller Lilian Limasin, Catalan police located the child, who tearfully explained that his parents had left him behind. Authorities quickly learned that the couple, identified only as the parents of the abandoned boy, were already on their flight bound for Casablanca, Morocco. The Spanish Civil Guard, alerted to the situation, intercepted the couple before the plane could take off.

When questioned, the parents offered a baffling explanation for their actions. They revealed that their eldest son's Spanish passport required a visa for their destination, which they did not have. His national passport, however, had expired. Instead of dealing with the logistical nightmare by rebooking their flights, they made the cold decision to simply leave the child behind, believing that a relative would eventually come to pick him up. They were reportedly unfazed, telling police they thought their actions were "perfectly normal." Oddity Central reported.

Police, however, had a very different view. The couple now faces severe legal repercussions, including formal charges of child abandonment. Their callous decision also caused a significant flight delay, adding to the list of their legal troubles. As the case moves forward, Spanish authorities are awaiting the results of a social services investigation to determine the full extent of their punishment for this heartless act.