Long Island Teen Found ‘Safe’ and ‘Alive’ After Dad’s Daring Rescue, Thanks to Tips and Police Efforts

In a Facebook post on Saturday, 14-year-old Emmarae’s father, Frank Gervasi from Long Island, New York, thanked the community and law enforcement for their diligent work in bringing his daughter back safely after she had been missing for a month.

Just before 1 p.m., Mr. Gervasi made an emotional video announcement on his Facebook page, “She is in a facility right now getting the help she needs and is safe.” He sincerely thanked everyone in the community for their steadfast support during this trying time.

Mr. Gervasi disclosed that vital information, such as videos posted on social media and flyers distributed, led to an important tip from a worried woman, which ultimately led him to his daughter’s location.

“The phone call I received was that she was on a boat in Islip. The lady who gave me the tip was afraid to go in the boat,” Mr. Gervasi recounted, acknowledging his initial skepticism.

Unfazed by the initial confusion, Mr. Gervasi described how he quickly climbed aboard the boat, which was parked in a marina close to the White Cap Fish Market in Islip, on Friday and found his daughter. She was on the boat by herself at the time, he confirmed.

“Persistency brought her home,” Mr. Gervasi said, raising the prospect that more than one person may be under investigation in relation to the disappearance of his daughter. The man stated that he thought Emmarae had been around “people who posed a significant danger to her well-being.”

Frank Gervasi revealed on Saturday that Emmarae had experienced a number of difficulties throughout her life, including running away from home. He revealed that she is presently undergoing treatment at a hospital to help with her detoxification. He refused to elaborate on the nature of her condition.

“The fact that she’s safe and alive is amazing. It was so incredible to hold her in my arms after I found her,” Mr. Gervasi emphasized.

The family had serious concerns about Emmarae’s safety after she disappeared on December 9th after getting into a stranger’s car outside their Patchogue home at around 5 p.m, Greater Long Island reported.

Emmarae was last seen leaving her house without shoes or a jacket before getting into the car, according to Greater Long Island. The next day, she was seen knocking on doors at a motel in Bohemia on security footage, but she disappeared again.

According to Mr. Gervasi, his daughter first set out on a journey with a man she met online but later broke things off. A “random” 65-year-old man she had never met before then offered to give her a ride. Mr. Gervasi said he thought Emmarae had been told not to get off the boat.

Frank Gervasi stated that he would like to focus his efforts on helping other Long Island families who are dealing with the upsetting situation of missing children.