Dutch Officials Say 14 Year Old Sailor Laura Dekker Missing Since 12/18/09 (UPDATE: Found in Caribbean)

According to Dutch police, 14 year old Dutch teenager sailor Laura Dekker, who made headlines when she went to court to fight for the right to sail solo around the world, has been missing since Friday, December 18, 2009.

Laura Dekker

THE HAGUE, Netherlands —  Dutch police say teenage sailor Laura Dekker, who made headlines when she went to court to fight for the right to sail solo around the world, has been missing since Friday.

Utrecht police spokesman Bernhard Jens says the 14-year-old’s boat is still moored at its usual berth and she appears to have left her father’s home on her own. Police have alerted neighboring countries to monitor airports.

Jens told The Associated Press on Sunday, “We do not believe this is a crime.”

However, he says authorities are concerned for Dekker’s health.

Previously, a Utrecht District Court refused to let Dekker set sail stating that she lacked the experience and placed her under the supervision of child care authorities.

Dekker’s boat, Guppy, is still moored at its usual berth and the teenager appears to have left her father’s home on her own.

UPDATE I: 14 Year Old Laura Dekker Found in Caribbean

Laura Dekker was discovered on St. Maarten in the Dutch Antilles on Sunday evening, days after days after she ran away from home leaving her boat behind.

St. Maarten police spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that Dekker was on the island, and said efforts are under way to get her back to the Netherlands.