Laura Dekker, the 14-year-old Dutch girl who caught the world's attention with her plans to sail solo around the world at the end of last summer, has been found in Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles. She went missing on Friday.

According to press reports it was not her father that reported her missing, but other members of her family, who first got in touch with the child protection agency and the police. This led to speculation that her father, who is also a keen yachtsman, may have been involved in Laura's trip to the Dutch island in the Caribbean.

• Listen: Spokesperson Richard Bakker of the Dutch Child Protection told RNW how Laura's whereabouts were found out

Earlier, a spokesperson for the family said she left a note for her father. The girl's yacht is still moored in Maurik harbour in Gelderland. Unconfirmed reports claimed she took 3,500 euros out of her bank account.

Laura was detained on Sunday after police recognized her from an international alert photograph. Police have refused to say how she is or how she arrived on the island but did say that every effort was being made to return her to the Netherlands and her family as soon as possible. Police spokesman Bernard Jens said in Utrecht that following international press coverage, "a lady in St. Maarten spotted Laura and alerted local police."

Mental health
The Dutch child protection agency made her a ward of court in October to prevent her from attempting the dangerous solo voyage.

An official at the agency told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that they are curious as to how Laura managed to get to St Maarten. He emphasised that she is just fourteen years old and under a lot of pressure because of her around-the-world sailing project. "We are quite concerned about her mental health, we will look after her now. That is our main concern," the spokesperson said.

The court allowed her to keep living with her divorced father in October. It is not certain whether Laura will be allowed to return to her father's home or will be placed under stricter protection.

Interview by Newsline/Michael Blass
Photo: Laura Dekker speaking to Dutch TV, Summer 2009 (NOS screenshot)