Second Suspect Arrested In Disturbing Missing Teen Case

A second suspect has been arrested in the case of a missing Long Island teen, raising concerns about potential sex trafficking involvement.

At a Glance

  • Bunice Knight, 47, arrested in connection with 14-year-old Emmarae Gervasi’s disappearance
  • Knight charged with rape, endangering welfare of a child, and drug-related offenses
  • Emmarae’s father believes she was victim of sex trafficking
  • Teen found on a boat after nearly a month missing
  • Another suspect, Francis Burkheit, previously arrested and charged with kidnapping

New Arrest Sheds Light on Disturbing Case

The disappearance of 14-year-old Emmarae Gervasi from Long Island has taken a disturbing turn with the arrest of a second suspect, Bunice Knight. The 47-year-old man faces serious charges, including second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child, in a case that has gripped the local community and raised alarming questions about the safety of young people.

Knight’s arrest comes after Emmarae was found on a boat following a month-long search. The teen had disappeared on December 9 after getting into an unknown car, sparking fears of abduction. Her father, Frank Gervasi, has been vocal about his concerns that his daughter fell victim to sex trafficking, a claim that seems increasingly plausible given the nature of the charges against Knight.

According to law enforcement, Knight allegedly had s*xual relations with Emmarae at his residence on January 2, just one day before she was discovered on the boat. The revelation has intensified the investigation into possible trafficking connections. Adding to the gravity of the situation, Knight also faces three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, specifically cocaine.

Knight’s criminal history adds another layer of concern to the case. He previously served over five years in federal prison for narcotics trafficking, suggesting a pattern of illegal activities that may have contributed to Emmarae’s ordeal. Despite the evidence against him, Knight has pleaded not guilty and posted the substantial bail of $500,000 cash or $1 million bond.

A Father’s Desperate Search

Throughout Emmarae’s disappearance, her father Frank Gervasi actively searched for his daughter, driven by the belief that she had been forced into a dangerous world of exploitation. His fears were not unfounded, as he later revealed that Emmarae had been “forced to do things that a 14-year-old girl shouldn’t have to do.”

The circumstances surrounding Emmarae’s disappearance are particularly troubling. She was wearing an ankle monitor when she went missing, which was removed by the person who picked her up. This deliberate act of removing a tracking device suggests a premeditated plan to conceal the teen’s whereabouts, further supporting the sex trafficking concerns raised by her father.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to uncover any potential connections between Knight and Francis Burkheit, the owner of the boat where Emmarae was found. Burkheit was previously arrested and charged with kidnapping in relation to the case. The relationship between these two suspects, if any, remains unclear but could be crucial in understanding the full scope of the alleged trafficking operation.