Teen Might Have Fled To Avoid Arranged Marriage
UPDATED 04/20/11 10:17 a.m.
SKOKIE, Ill. (WBBM/CBS) -- A 16-year-old Skokie girl has been found safe, more than a month after vanishing from home.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mike Krauser reports, Zaineb Chaudhary had not been seen since she left for Niles North High School March 11, but never returned home.
But in the early morning hours Wednesday, she was found. Because she is a juvenile, police are not releasing any other details about why she left or what happened while she was gone, but they say no criminal charges are expected.
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But comments from some her friends on Facebook hint that she ran away to avoid an arranged marriage.
Skokie Police Sgt. Michael Krupnik confirmed earlier that police were told Chaudhary was to be involved in an arranged marriage, but could not say for say yet that she ran away for that reason.
A Facebook group has been established on Chaudhary's behalf, called "Zaineb Chaudhary Be Safe." But not everyone leaving comments on the page is hoping she returns to her family.
"Start a new life, never come back… I think (you're) old enough to get out of this situation," one group member wrote.
"Run girl run!!! Marry for love and live life for you first!!! You are a hero!" another member wrote.
Chaudhary immigrated to the United States from Pakistan with her family. Arranged marriages are part of the culture there.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
