'God Gave Me A Gift Today': Long Island Father After Daughter Missing 25 Days Is Found

LONG ISLAND, NY — Emma Gervasi, the 14-year-old Patchogue girl who has been missing 25 days, has been found, Suffolk police said Friday.

Further details about the circumstances were not available.

Multiple sources told News 12 that she was found on a boat in the canal outside the White Cap Fish Market in Islip.

Her father, Frank Gervasi, was not immediately available for comment.

In a Facebook post, Friday afternoon he wrote, "God gave me a gift today" and expressed his gratitude to his family's supporters.

He said that he plans to "address the public on all of this tomorrow."

After finding her, he requested some time, and said his "prayers" were answered.

On Dec. 9, Emma told her stepmother that she had to get something from her family's truck parked outside their Patchogue home, and went out into the rainy night in just a T-shirt, no coat, and possibly no shoes, and an unknown car pulled up and she was gone, a family friend previously told Patch.

Over texts, Frank Gervasi, told Patch previously that the teen had run away before, and there had been no word from her.

All leads had been exhausted and he feared "the worst."

"Yes, I have a bad feeling, but can't give up hope," he said. "This is the longest she has ever been gone, and usually, she calls a day or so later."

"I can't imagine why she wouldn't reach out at all," he added.

Suffolk police's 5th Squad of detectives in Patchogue were investigating her disappearance.

An alert about her disappearance was also placed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's website.

In her absence, her father used social media to spread the word about her disappearance and updated followers on the progress.

Hundreds of supporters rallied behind him and his family, and in recent days, they organized a search party for her in the Mastic-Shirley area where she has been known to frequent.

A $15,000 reward was also offered for her safe return.

After news of the teen being found spread, supporters took to social media proclaiming their happiness and gratitude.

One woman shared a collage of photos with animated balloons and confetti.

"So glad she’s been found," another wrote, then credited Gervasi for his work to bring her home, saying, he "did amazing for finding her."

"Now I’m hoping you can be at peace," she wrote.

Yet another woman wrote, "When it comes to family and kids Frank Gervasi never stopped for one minute! God is good. Family stops at nothing!