Authorities seek to unravel young sailor's trip

[December 21, 2009]  THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- Authorities are trying to piece together how 14-year-old sailor Laura Dekker managed to slip out of the Netherlands and fly to the Caribbean and whether anybody helped her flee.

Dekker, who lost a court battle for the right to set off on a risky solo around-the-world trip, was discovered Sunday on the Netherlands Antilles island of St. Maarten, three days after her mother reported her missing.

Police spokesman Bernhard Jens said Monday police would interview Dekker when she returns to the Netherlands in coming days.

He says "we have a number of questions for her." He says they include, "How did this happen? Why did you go? How did you go? Did you go with somebody else?"

[Associated Press]

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