Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Teen Who Went Missing In Morocco Claims She Had Parents' Permission To Fly
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jul 11, 2015
Modified Apr 9, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jul 11, 2015
Modified Apr 9, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The 17-year-old Connecticut teen who reportedly went missing in Morocco this week has been found safe and sound with her Facebook boyfriend, according to authorities—and in a new video, she claims she had permission from her parents to meet him overseas.
The mother of 17-year-old Rebecca Arthur reported her daughter missing on Wednesday, claiming she dropped her off at the airport on Monday so she could fly to California to visit a friend. Instead, Arthur boarded a flight to Morocco, where authorities believed she planned to meet up with a person named Simo El Adala, with whom she was listed in a relationship on Facebook.
Though authorities were concerned that El Adala was not who he purported to be, yesterday it was reported that Arthur was indeed safe and sound at a seaside community located about 220 miles south of Casablana; she was with El Adala's family at the time. And in a recent video, Arthur claims her parents knew she was planning to meet him. "I am safe and OK with my boyfriend Simo and his family, and I have my parents' permission to come here and visit and spend time with him," she says. You can see the video below:
Arthur reportedly met El Adala online a year ago and has been in a relationship with him for the past six months, though they met in person for the first time this week. In the video, El Adala says in Arabic that he had spoken with Arthur's mother about the trip, and that one of Arthur's friends may have tried to scare her mother by suggesting El Adala was going to kidnap her. El Adala also produced a notarized permission slip allegedly signed by Arthur's parents, though police say that may have been forged.
It is unclear when Arthur plans to return home, though a Moroccan news outlet says she's expected to leave the country on July 21st.
Tagged
connecticut
morocco
rebecca arthur
teens
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
News
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .