An arrest has been made in the case of missing teen Emmarae Gervasi, who was found alive on a boat after being missing for 26 days. Francis Buckheit, 65, was arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping, confirmed by his defense attorney, according to Patch.
Emmarae, 14, was located on Friday afternoon by her father, Frank Gervasi, aboard a large boat in Islip, Long Island, after an anonymous tip. She had been missing since December 9, when she went outside to retrieve items from a Jeep near her home in East Patchogue, Suffolk County.
“I found her myself before police arrived. Seeing her alive after 26 days was a gift from God,” Frank told News 12.
On Monday, Buckheit pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, kidnapping, and endangering a child. Court records show his arrest happened on January 3, the same day Emmarae was found. He is being held without bail and will appear in court on Thursday.
Emmarae is now recovering in the hospital, and the case remains under investigation. Her family had been deeply worried, as Frank shared that the last time he spoke to her, she had asked what he was making for dinner. Surveillance footage later showed her knocking on doors at a Bohemia motel before disappearing again.
Throughout the search, Frank worked closely with the Suffolk County Police Department and followed every lead. Less than a day after she disappeared, he received a tip that she was seen walking in Bohemia before vanishing.
“I feared she was being held against her will,” Frank said. Friends, family, and community members joined the search, which included a search in upstate New York using police dogs and helicopters.
Frank shared a message on Facebook, thanking everyone who helped search for Emmarae. He mentioned receiving an anonymous tip that led him to the boat in Islip.
“I’ve been tense for the past four weeks. Now, I just want to scream, ‘She’s OK. She’s been found.’”
The Suffolk County Police Department has since impounded the boat as evidence.
