THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Abby Sunderland’s nearly disastrous attempt to circumnavigate the globe had the blessing of California’s child-protective-services agency, the 16-year-old girl’s dad told The Post yesterday.
A Ventura County Human Services social worker visited the family’s home in mid-January after hearing that Abby was about to try to become the youngest person ever to sail nonstop around the world.
They “said they were fascinated with Abigail’s answers because she really does know the ocean,” said her father, Laurence, who admitted in yesterday’s Post that he signed a contract to do a reality-show featuring Abby’s quest.
But yesterday, Abby’s mom, Marianne, told The Associated Press that the show, “Adventures in Sunderland,” had been shelved after the developers, Magnetic Entertainment, couldn’t find a buyer.
She said the family wasn’t shopping the show around anymore.
Abby was rescued at sea last week after heaving waves crippled her boat in the Indian Ocean. She is expected to transfer to another ship today to head home.
Ventura County Human Services declined to comment.