A second person has been arrested in the kidnapping of a New York teenager who was found by her father a month after she disappeared. Bunice Knight, 47, from Copiague, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and other crimes. His arrest came after Francis Buckheit, 64, was arrested over a week earlier and charged with first-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.
The teenager, Emmarae Gervasi, 14, from East Patchogue, Suffolk County, went missing on December 9. She was seen getting into an unknown car outside her home around 5 p.m., wearing no jacket or shoes despite the cold weather. The following day, security footage showed her knocking on doors at a motel in Bohemia, but she went missing again soon after.
Emmarae’s father, Frank, later claimed that his daughter had met a man online, but she was then picked up by a random 65-year-old stranger. After Emmarae disappeared, Frank went on a search for her, similar to the movie Taken. He worked with the Suffolk County Police Department and received help from an anonymous person who gave him a tip about his daughter’s location. After tracking down the lead, Frank found Emmarae on a boat 13 miles west of Patchogue, near the White Cap Fish Market. He brought her back to safety, and she is now recovering in the hospital. Her case is still under investigation.
The arrests of Knight and Buckheit were based on statements from Emmarae and security footage from nearby homes in the Long Island area. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges. It is not clear if they know each other. Knight’s lawyer, Glenn Obedin, said they are preparing to defend his case in court.
Knight has a criminal history, having spent five years in federal prison for drug trafficking charges in 2004. He was released after posting bail of $50,000 cash or a $100,000 bond. Buckheit remains in jail, and Emmarae’s disappearance and the investigation are ongoing.
This case highlights the importance of safety and the strong efforts of families in ensuring the protection of loved ones.
