Missing teen Emmarae Gervasi found safe after media plea
After four weeks of uncertainty and persistent searches, the father of 14-year-old Emmarae Gervasi can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The teenager, who was abducted from in front of her home in Patchogue, has been found safe and sound on a boat where she was being held.
The missing girl was searched for by her desperate father, search organizations he enlisted, as well as friends and family.
The father posted videos online about his daughter, publicized her disappearance on social media, and independently searched for clues that could unravel the mystery of what happened to her after she disappeared on December 6 from in front of her house.
After many weeks of searching that involved state services, search dogs, and helicopters, a resolution came on the first weekend of the new year.
The girl's father received an anonymous phone call, revealing where the missing teenager was located. He dropped everything and followed the lead given by the mysterious caller.
After his daughter’s disappearance, Frank Gervasi received strange phone calls, one of which was supposed to be from his daughter. It is unknown who the man was that abducted the teenager or what happened to her during her disappearance. However, the father assures that the girl is safe and sound and is under psychological care.
Michael Alcazar, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, emphasized that social media contributed to the positive resolution of the case.
"We rely heavily on the media and social media, Instagram, this gets to everybody, this gets everywhere. It’s eyes on the ground, millions of eyes that can help locate the missing person," Alcazar explained.
