Frank Gervasi, a determined father, says he broke into a boat to rescue his missing 14-year-old daughter, Emmarae, after receiving an anonymous tip that ended a heart-wrenching 26-day search.
On December 9, Emmarae Gervasi, from East Patchogue, Long Island, stepped outside her home on Tyrell Street to grab something from a car but never returned.
The teenager was later spotted on CCTV getting into another vehicle without a jacket or shoes, despite the pouring rain. The following day, she was seen knocking on doors at a motel in Bohemia, but after that sighting, she vanished without a trace.
The disappearance left her family terrified and desperate for answers. Emmarae’s father, Frank, immediately took it upon himself to find her. With the help of local police, cadaver dogs, helicopters, and search parties, efforts were made to locate the missing teen. However, as the days turned into weeks, the leads ran cold, and the family was left clinging to hope.
Frank refused to give up. He posted about Emmarae’s disappearance on social media, offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to her recovery.
He personally drove around Long Island every day, searching for clues and speaking to anyone who might have seen his daughter. Despite receiving strange phone calls from unknown numbers, nothing substantial emerged until he got a critical anonymous tip on Friday.
The tip suggested that Emmarae might be on a large boat docked in Islip, about 13 miles from her home. Frank didn’t hesitate. Fueled by hope and desperation, he rushed to the location to check for himself.
Upon arriving at the boat near the White Cap Fish Market, Frank decided to take matters into his own hands. He broke into the vessel and found Emmarae alive.
“I can’t describe the feeling I had when I saw her and grabbed her,” Frank told News 12. “After 26 days of hell, seeing her alive in my arms was a gift from God.”
The teenager was immediately taken to the hospital, where she is now receiving treatment. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and how she ended up on the boat.
In an emotional video posted on Facebook, Frank expressed his gratitude to the community for their support during the search.
“I want to thank everyone who shared videos, handed out flyers, and helped us look for my girl. It’s because of your efforts that she’s home now. An anonymous tip led me to her, and I followed it. Persistence is what brought her back,” he said.
Frank shared that he believes Emmarae initially left with someone she knew but became too afraid to return home. He suspects she was later taken to a trailer park and eventually ended up on the boat.
Emmarae’s disappearance took a toll on her entire family. According to FOX5NY, the teenager has struggled with addiction and has left home before, but never for such an extended period. Her court-ordered ankle monitor was found cut off near her house, adding to the family’s distress.
Her mother, Melissa Dervay, described the moment she learned her daughter was safe. “The moment I heard her voice, I felt a huge weight lift off me. I’ve been fighting a quiet battle for four weeks, and now I finally feel light. She’s OK, and that’s all that matters.”
While the family is relieved to have Emmarae back, questions remain. Investigators are now trying to piece together what happened during her time away and how she ended up on the boat. For now, the Gervasi family is focused on helping Emmarae recover and move forward.
Frank summed up the ordeal by emphasizing the importance of persistence and community: “This wasn’t just about our family. It’s about showing that when people come together, we can bring our kids home.”
