
The investigation into the disappearance of 14-year-old Emmarae Gervasi from Patchogue, Long Island, has led to the arrest of a second suspect. Bunice Knight, 47, of Copiague, has been charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a child, authorities announced. According to The New York Post, Knight was apprehended following the analysis of surveillance footage from nearby homes. Earlier, Francis Burkheit, 64, was arrested and charged with kidnapping in the same case.
On December 9th, Gervasi vanished after being seen getting into an unidentified car around 5 p.m. Nearly a month later, after a tip led him, her father found her on a boat docked at WhiteCap Marina in Islip. Court documents cited by NBC New York reveal that the teen had spent time at Knight's residence near the marina on January 2, just a day before her rescue. Both Knight and Burkheit have entered not guilty pleas to their respective charges.
In the wake of the arrest, Frank Gervasi expressed his conviction about his daughter's ordeal, stating to The New York Post, "What done in the dark will b brought to the light." He has been actively involved in the search for Emmarae, posting updates on social media and assisting community-formed search parties. In a harrowing account of his daughter's ordeal, he claimed that she was “forced to do things that a 14-year-old girl shouldn’t have to do,” alluding to the traumatic experience of sex trafficking, compounded by drug influence and exploitation.
Representatives for the accused have signaled their intentions to mount strong defenses. Knight's attorney, Glenn Obedin, told NBC New York, they "look forward to rigorously defending this case." Meanwhile, Danielle Papa, Burkheit's attorney, noted her client's emotional state and maintained his innocence, saying, "There’s a lot more to this story than what’s been presented in the papers at this time, which we are in the process of investigating."
Further details of the case are anticipated to be revealed when the indictments against Knight and Burkheit are unsealed. The relationship between the two men remains unclear at this point. Emmarae Gervasi is currently receiving care following the traumatic events of her abduction, as per her father's updates on social media.