According to Checkpoint Charlie Museum in Berlin, one of the boy’s parents, his father, was with the boy in West Germany visiting relatives while the rest of the boy’s family was at home in the East.
The prohibition against crossing sectors did occur overnight thus separating this family. The father believed that the boy should grow up with his mother, so he had the boy walk to the fence where this soldier lifted him across.
HearVoices on September 18th, 2021 at 08:32 UTC »
He wasn't releasing him he was helping him over to the Eastern side. The soldier was caught doing so.
wdonahue79 on September 18th, 2021 at 12:15 UTC »
Not much of a secret of someone TOOK A FREAKING PICTURE!
utahskyliner34 on September 18th, 2021 at 13:12 UTC »
Some context