THE dad of a kidnapped teen has revealed the heart-stopping moment he found her after she was held for a hellish 26 days.
Emmarae Gervasi, 14, mysteriously disappeared after getting into a car outside her home – but her brave dad managed to find his girl before cops did.
A father named Frank Gervasi heroically rescued his daughter from a large boat located near the White Cap Fish Market and Seafood Restaurant in Islip, Long Island, following an anonymous phone tip he received on a Friday afternoon.
Subsequently, a 65-year-old man was arrested and charged with rape concerning the alarming incident. However, prior to the authorities’ intervention, the father, Frank, was able to locate and save his daughter, Emmarae.
Describing the moment he saw her for the first time in 26 days, the overjoyed dad told News 12: “It was 26 days of hell seeing her alive in my arms.
“It was a gift from God.”
Frank, with a look of astonishment on his face that indicated he was reflecting on the intense moment, shared, “I can’t put into words the feeling I experienced when I pulled her to safety.”
Emmarae was rushed to hospital to recover after the horror ordeal and the case remains an active investigation.
The teen’s dad said that the “sweet” person who gave the tip was “afraid to go to the boat”.
Frank added: “The tip was because of all the social media and everything like that but this person was sweet enough to come forward and give me some information that did help save my daughters life.”
“I just want to make everyone aware that they did an amazing job and also make sure the police department know they did an amazing job.”
The family’s nightmare started after their girl went to pick up items from a Jeep outside their house, in East Patchogue, Suffolk County, but she left without a coat or shoes on.
Emmarae was caught on security footage less than 24 hours after her shock disappearance knocking on doors and helplessly wandering around Bohemia, less than 10 miles from where her dad, Frank Gervasi, would later save her.
The brave father revealed he was following up on his own leads and worked closely with the local Suffolk County Police Department.
“I fear that she is being held against her will,” he said at that time.
“I know she is with somebody and they are either convincing her to stay or won’t let her leave or worse she may be dead by now.”
Francis Buckheit was charged with rape, kidnapping, and acting in a manner injurious to a child, nearly a month after the teenager vanished from her home in Long Island, New York.
The suspect entered a not guilty plea on Monday but her father said he believed Emmarae was a victim of sex trafficking.
Frank has said previously that he believed 14-year-old had been sex trafficked during her 26 day disappearance.
“She was not allowed to leave the boat unless she was escorted by somebody, and she was being forced to do things that a 14-year-old girl shouldn’t have to do.
“So I do believe this is sex-trafficking, and it’s being looked into.”
Frank also said he thought his daughter had initially gotten into the car with some she knew but claimed Emmarae was later taken by a “random” 65-year-old man, according to the New York Post.
He also told The Post that the teenager had previously run away from home and experienced some “struggles” in her life.
Emmarae’s mom Melissa Dervay shared the overwhelming emotions she felt when her daughter was found.
“The moment I heard her voice and knew she was OK, I felt a weight lifted off my body,” she told Greater Long Island.
“I’ve been so tense for the past four weeks, quietly fighting a battle. Now, I’m elated.”
The Suffolk County Police Department has since impounded a boat from a Long Island dock as evidence.
