Emmarae Gervasi’s dad says anonymous tip helped him find his missing daughter
The family of 14-year-old Emmarae Gervasi seemingly let out a collective giant-sized sigh of relief.
After an agonizing 25 days, the missing Patchogue teen had been found safe — by her dad in a boat docked in Islip. For her father, Frank Gervasi, and mother, Melissa, joined by her brothers, grandparents, step-mom, step-grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, the nightmare was over.
Much of Long Island, captivated by Emmarae’s story during a busy holiday season, shared in that joy.
Emmarae’s disappearance and the subsequent search gripped the community, fueled by widespread social media coverage on 𝕏.
Local news outlets provided consistent updates, ensuring the case remained in the public eye.
“She is in a facility right now getting the help she needs and is safe,” Frank Gervasi said. “I’d like to thank the community for all of the support that you gave us.”
Gervasi explained that it was “social media” that led to an anonymous tip from a woman that helped him find his daughter.
“The phone call I received was that she was on a boat in Islip,” he said, adding that he was initially skeptical. “The lady who gave me the tip was afraid to go near the boat. I’m not going to talk too much about the guys involved,” he added, wearing a sweatshirt with the wording, “Protect Our Children.”
“I did clear the boat. There was nobody else on the boat at the time when I got there,” Gervasi said. “A lot of details about the people involved I’m not going to discuss. It’s still an active investigation.”
Police have confirmed Emmarae was found. Gervasi thanked Suffolk County Police and Suffolk’s district attorney’s office for their persistence in the investigation into Emmarae’s disappearance.
“I believe working together helped bring her home,” Gervasi said, noting that because police are “so busy” inundated with tips,” parents need to be active participants in getting their missing kids home.
“Emma has a long road of recovery ahead of her. And we’re going to do everything possible to get her the help she needs,” he said. “The joy that comes over you when you find your child is a feeling that only a parent that has gone through this would understand."
Emmarae’s disappearance and subsequent search gripped the community, fueled by her father’s daily Instagram video updates and widespread social media coverage.
greaterlongisland.com