Baghdad, Iraq ? A 16-year-old from Florida who traveled to one of the world’s most dangerous places without telling his parents left Baghdad on Friday to begin his journey home, the U.S. Embassy said, drawing to a close an adventure that could have cost him his life.

The mother of Farris Hassan, the prep school junior whom U.S. officials took custody of in Baghdad this week, said she was “grateful” he was headed back.

Consul General Richard B. Hermann said Friday that Hassan “safely departed Baghdad.” He reiterated warnings by the State Department and embassy against traveling to Iraq. Forty American citizens have been kidnapped since the war started in March 2003, of whom 10 have been killed, a U.S. official said. About 15 remain missing.

Hassan spoke to The Associated Press early Friday, several hours before the announcement, and he was still under the impression that he would be following his travel itinerary, which had him leaving the country by himself on Sunday.

He hadn’t even been aware the story of his travels was published around the world.

The embassy refused to release any further details about his travel, and it wasn’t known when he would arrive home in Florida.