Massachusetts Family Rescued After Stranded in Middle East Conflict

Stacey Schuhwerk and her son spent 10 days in lockdown in Doha, Qatar, before finally making it back home to the U.S.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Stacey Schuhwerk, a mother from Hingham, Massachusetts, and her son were stranded in Doha, Qatar, for 10 days as they tried to return home amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. They witnessed missile strikes and were forced to take a dangerous journey through Saudi Arabia before eventually being evacuated with the help of the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain and making it back to the United States.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges and risks faced by American travelers caught in the middle of geopolitical conflicts abroad, and the importance of government assistance in helping citizens safely return home during times of crisis.

The details

Schuhwerk and her son were on a layover in Doha when the conflict broke out, leaving them stranded in the city for 10 days. They spent their time in lockdown, listening to sirens and watching missile strikes outside their hotel window. When it became clear they couldn't get a flight out of Doha, they hired a private car to drive them to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the journey was "a little bit of a scary trip." In Riyadh, they learned that flights were being canceled, and it wasn't until the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain helped evacuate them that they were finally able to make it back to the United States.

  • Schuhwerk and her son were stranded in Doha, Qatar for 10 days.
  • They took a 16-hour drive to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 3rd.
  • Flights were canceled in Riyadh on March 4th at 2:15 pm.

The players

Stacey Schuhwerk

A mother from Hingham, Massachusetts who was stranded in the Middle East with her son.

U.S. Embassy in Bahrain

Helped evacuate Schuhwerk and her son from the Middle East and get them back to the United States.

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What they’re saying

“I have tried for 10 days to just be strong and just get through it.”

— Stacey Schuhwerk (nbcboston.com)

“I don't ever want to hear a siren again.”

— Stacey Schuhwerk (nbcboston.com)

“I have never been more proud of my son. He showed me strength that I just didn't know he was capable of.”

— Stacey Schuhwerk (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Schuhwerk and her son will likely need time to recover from their traumatic experience and readjust to being back home in the United States.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of government assistance and evacuation efforts for American citizens caught in the midst of international conflicts and crises abroad, and the resilience required to endure such harrowing experiences.