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Emmarae Gervasi, the 14-year-old girl who had been missing for nearly four weeks, has been found safe, police confirmed on Friday.
The teen was located on a boat in Islip, bringing an emotional end to a massive search that was spearheaded by her father, Frank, gripped the Long Island community.
“All we can say at this point is that she has been located and is in police custody,” according to a Suffolk County Police statement released to Greater Long Island.
Frank Gervasi, who has legal custody of Emmarae and had offered a $15,000 reward for her safe return, was not available for comment at press time. For over three weeks, Gervasi took to Instagram to give heartfelt daily updates on a search that involved input from people across the country.
In a Facebook post, he said, “I found emma !!! Please give me some time and then I will address the public in a few thanks … Prayers answered.”
Emmarae’s mother, Melissa Dervay, described the moment she learned her daughter was safe.
“The moment I heard her voice and knew she was OK, I felt a weight lifted off my body,” Dervay told Greater Long Island. “I’ve been so tense for the past four weeks, quietly fighting a battle. Now, I’m elated. I feel light, and I just want to scream, ‘She’s OK. She’s been found.'”
Frank Gervasi has searched for his daughter deep into the night since she disappeared from their Terrell Street home on Dec. 9, he has detailed in his social media posts and in media reports.
Emmarae had vanished after leaving her home barefoot and without a jacket. Surveillance footage, her dad said, later showed her at a Bohemia motel early on Dec. 10, knocking on doors before disappearing again.
Her disappearance prompted a massive search effort, including a New Year’s Eve search party that drew dozens of volunteers.
Emmarae’s family said they had worked closely with law enforcement throughout the investigation. Gervasi has voiced fears that his daughter might have been held against her will.
The details of her disappearance remain unclear. No official details have been released about how or where Emmarae was found, though her mother said she was found on a boat in a marina in Islip, near the White Cap Fish Market.
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Top photo: Emmarae Gervais, 14, of Patchogue has been found safe (Courtesy photo).
