EXCLUSIVE: Family Of Missing Teen Sailor "Quite A Bit Distressed"
Posted on Jun 10, 2010 @ 03:30PM
Abby Sunderland, the 16-year-old trying to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, is feared missing at sea near the Antarctic.
Abby was last heard from just before 6am PDT.
Her father Laurence Sunderland told RadarOnline.com he was “doing well,” despite the ordeal.
PHOTOS: Teen Idols Now And Then
The family spokesperson, Pastor Joe Schimmel of the Blessed Hope Chapel in Simi Valley, California, told RadarOnline.com that a search and rescue team would be looking for Abby starting at dawn her time, which is 10pm PTD.
“The family is quite a bit distressed,” Schimmel said.
“There has not been a word from Abby... the family is trying to establish communication with their daughter.”
PHOTOS: Stars Who Love The Beach
Abby set off her person distress signal, which Pastor Schimmel said was a good sign.
“It means that she was able to try and help herself,” he said.
French and Australian authorities are going to spearhead the search and rescue effort, according to Schimmel.
PHOTOS: Celebs Who Are Most Popular On Twitter
Abby set sail Jan. 23 from Marina del Rey, California. She is approximately 500 miles north of the Antarctic Islands on her bid to become the youngest to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat, solo.
The family is praying for her safety and is asking others to join them in prayer for their daughter, said Pastor Schimmel.
- Beyonce's Returning To The Stage For The First Time Since Becoming A Mom — Huffington Post
- Sienna Miller & Her Baby Bump Are All Smiles — The Frisky
- Jay-Z To Score New "Annie" Movie Starring Willow Smith — Global Grind
- Simon Cowell Asks 'What Was I Thinking?' After Choosing Britney Spears & Demi Lovato for 'X Factor' — Celebuzz
- Anne Hathaway's Ex Raffaello Follieri Released from Jail — Just Jared
- Age Appropriate? Kylie Minogue, 43, Dons Racy Webbed Dress — Celebuzz
- Click Here & Join Our Facebook Page — Facebook
Sample Header
The Daily Juice
Abby has been found alive and well. The power of prayer!!
Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 8:15am
No make up...no alcohol monitoring bracelet around her ankle...no tattoos probably..no jewlery...no hair extensions....hmm I bet her parents are married to one another and no one dressed her like a man..Yep and we think she and her parents are wierd
Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 6:52am
As long as they foot the bill then all the more power to them...compare this girl to what we usually read about with the young people and is this so terrible? The girl is healthy and decent and it is her life...
Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 5:59am
Think about it...what do we want from our youth? To copy the role models in Hollywood? The parents of miley Cyrus, Brittany Spears and Lynsday Lohan should be so ashamed of theirselves for what they allowed to happen to their kids..
Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 5:57am
And yet this girl doesn't make me want to throw up like Miley Cyrus and Brittany Spears to name a few make me feel like...no body piercing, no stripper pole...no black fish net stockings..no horrible attitude and ego...
Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 5:54am
Praying for this child to be safe. I read another girl from Australia, 16 already did this voyage, so will parents let their children go younger and younger to set some record? I rather have my kid alive by saying no.
Posted Thu, 06/10/2010 - 11:43pm
Oh and btw, no, she is NOT the girl who tried to run away in order to become the youngest person to sail solo across the world. That was Laura Dekker, a Dutch girl.
Posted Thu, 06/10/2010 - 11:34pm
It was crazy to let her do it in the first place. Jessica Dubroff revisited.
Posted Thu, 06/10/2010 - 11:24pm
Just read her blog. She is a very capable and brave young woman. These traits should come in handy now, godd willing. Hope she is well and found soon.
Posted Thu, 06/10/2010 - 11:15pm
just such a sad thing. Never should have happened. They have a special suite they wear to protect from the cold..I hope she has one and she is safe and sound in her life raft.
Posted Thu, 06/10/2010 - 10:37pm