A Long Island teen who went missing in an unknown car outside her home was found safe on a boat Friday, ending a nearly month-long nightmare for her family.
Emmarae Gervasi's family feared she was being held against her will when the 14-year-old disappeared from her Patchogue home on Dec. 9, 2024, around 5 p.m. .
Gervasi was last seen leaving his home without a jacket or shoes and getting into a black car. According to Greater Long Island.
The next day, she was seen on security camera knocking on a door at a motel in Bohemia, but she disappeared again.
On Friday, she was found on a boat at a marina near the Whitecap Fish Market in Islip.
The marina is located 21 miles west of Patchogue.
Police said Emarae was taken into custody and in good health.
Frank Gervasi said his prayers were answered when police found the boy 25 days later, but he declined to say how Emarae got on the boat.
“I found Emma!” he wrote. “Prayers have been answered.”
“God gave me a gift today,” Elder Gervasi said while sharing a post on the Facebook group “Together Against Trafficking” that gave further insight into his daughter's discovery.
“Thanks to a vital tip to address misinformation, Emma was found in Islip by her father. Although she was not there of her own accord, she was thrilled to be reunited with Frank Gervasi. I was overjoyed,” Stephanie Ray wrote.
The post suggested an ongoing investigation involving multiple parties.
“Thank you so much for your support and efforts in helping us find Emma. The love and kindness you showed her will mean so much to her once she is able to process everything. will have,” Ray concluded.
Friends, family and local residents formed a search party to search for Gervasi.
Additionally, the Gabby Petite Foundation has reached out to organizations on Long Island to raise awareness for the missing teen, News 12 reported.
Last month, Frank Gervasi appealed for help on social media and drove around Long Island himself looking for clues about his daughter's appearance.
On Thursday, the 25th day after her disappearance, her heartbroken father recorded a video A message for my daughter.
“Emma, if you listen to this video, we love you so much,” he said. “We miss you and want you back.”
Emmarae's mother, Melissa Dubey, said “a weight was lifted from my body” when the intense search ended.
“The moment I heard her voice and knew she was going to be okay, it felt like a weight was lifted off my body,” Dubey told Greater Long Island. “For the last four weeks, I've been so nervous and been fighting the silent battle. Now I'm overjoyed. I feel lighter and I just want to scream, 'She's okay.' She was found. ”
