Freshman Joran

It's out of handcuffs and off to college for Joran van der Sloot. His parents must be so proud of him, leaving the nest.

Of course, he spent the summer out of the nest and in a jail cell, but you know what I mean.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- An 18-year-old Dutch man who been held by police in Aruba in connection with the disappearance of an Alabama teen arrived in the Netherlands [September 6].

Joran van der Sloot and his father arrived at Amsterdam's airport, ignored questions from reporters, and quickly departed. His mother says he plans to attend college in Holland.

...Aruban police insist the investigation into Holloway's disappearance will continue, but legal observers in Aruba say the release indicates the government has no case.

Holloway's mother, Beth Holloway Twitty, left Aruba on Sunday, saying she had -- quote -- "exhausted all my avenues."

Luckily, van der Sloot was released in time to begin the fall semester at college. How convenient!

Had Aruban authorities not royally screwed up the investigation into Natalee's disappearance, Joran would most likely be awaiting trial rather than registering for classes. His future would hold punishment, not promise.

While Joran supposedly heads off to a college in Holland, Natalee Holloway's parents are left in limbo, still not knowing where there daughter is.


Natalee had received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama. She was going to major in Pre-Med, planning to become a pediatrician.

She was an honors student, very intelligent, and focused on her future.

While Joran attends college and the van der Sloots move on with their lives, Natalee Holloway's family is only left with the haunting dreams of what might have been.