A Lengthy Island teen who vanished when she obtained into an unknown automotive outdoors her dwelling was discovered protected aboard a ship on Friday, ending her household’s practically month-long nightmare.
Emmarae Gervasi’s household feared that the 14-year-old was being held towards her will when she disappeared from their Patchogue dwelling round 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2024.
Gervasi was final seen strolling out of her home and not using a jacket or footwear on and getting right into a black automotive, based on Larger Lengthy Island.
Safety cameras captured her knocking on doorways at a Bohemia motel the subsequent day, however she disappeared once more.
On Friday she was discovered on a ship in a marina close to the White Cap Fish Market in Islip.
The marina is positioned 13 miles west of Patchogue.
Police mentioned Emmarae is in custody and in good well being.
Frank Gervasi mentioned his prayers had been answered when police discovered the teenager after 25 days, however didn’t disclose how Emmarae ended up on the boat.
“I found Emma!” he wrote. “Prayers answered.”
The elder Gervasi mentioned “God gave me a gift today” as he shared a publish from the “Together Against Trafficking” Fb group giving extra perception into his daughter’s discovery.
“To address any misinformation: Emma was found in Islip by her father, thanks to a crucial tip. She was not there willingly, and she was overjoyed to see Frank Gervasi when reunited,” Stephanie Rae wrote.
The publish indicated an ongoing investigation involving a number of individuals.
“We deeply appreciate the support and efforts of everyone who helped us find Emma. The love and kindness you’ve shown will mean so much to her once she’s able to process everything,” Rae concluded.
Mates, household and neighborhood members shaped search events to search for Gervasi.
Moreover, the Gabby Petito Basis reached out to Lengthy Island organizations to lift consciousness of the lacking teen, Information 12 reported.
Over the previous month, Frank Gervasi pleaded for assistance on social media and looked for leads into his daughter’s look himself, driving round Lengthy Island.
On Thursday — the twenty fifth day since her disappearance — the heartbroken father recorded a video message directed at his daughter.
“Emma, if you hear this video, we love you very much,” he mentioned. “We miss you, and we want you to come home.”
Emmarae’s mom Melissa Dervay mentioned a weight was “lifted off my body” when the extraordinary search ended.
“The moment I heard her voice and knew she was OK, I felt a weight lifted off my body,” Dervay informed Larger Lengthy Island. “I’ve been so tense for the past four weeks, quietly fighting a battle. Now, I’m elated. I feel light, and I just want to scream, ‘She’s OK. She’s been found.’”
