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Eighth suspect charged in case of missing Patchogue teen

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An eighth suspect has been charged in connection with the December disappearance of a 14-year-old Patchogue girl, Newsday reported.

Court records show that Kevin McDonald, 20, of Medford pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip to second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child.

McDonald’s arraignment followed the arrests of seven other defendants — five men and two women — in the case, which began when the teen went missing on Dec. 9 after entering a vehicle outside her home. The victim was found 25 days later alone on a boat at Whitecap Marina.

Newsday reported that court papers indicate McDonald allegedly had sex with the girl in the back seat of 1998 Honda Accord in Bellport on Dec. 10. McDonald then allegedly drove the teen to a motel in Bohemia, prosecutors said.

Previously, the girl’s father said that his daughter was recorded on surveillance cameras knocking on room doors at a Bohemia motel about 2 a.m. on Dec. 10.

Previous arrests in the case include boat owner Francis Buckheit, 64, charged with kidnapping and rape; Bunice Knight, 47, charged with rape; and Jacquelyn Comiskey, 52, and Elizabeth Hunter, 34, both charged with child sex trafficking.

Daniel Burke, 63, Robert Eccleston, 61, and Alton Harrell, 35, were also charged in connection with the case. All of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.

Greater Long Island has reported previously that at least three additional individuals have been implicated in prior incidents involving the same victim.

Prior coverage

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