Major update in ‘Taken’ kidnapping where dad saved daughter, 14, from ‘26 days of hell’ as SECOND suspect arrested
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A SECOND suspect has been arrested in the heroic tale of a 'Taken' style abduction that saw a father rescue his kidnapped daughter from a boat. Bunice Knight, 47, of Copiague, has been charged endangering the welfare of a child among other alleged crimes.
![[A man with extensive tattoos hugs a young girl on a beach.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/arrest-made-case-missing-teen-962161936_0fad80.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Emmarae Gervasi, 14, vanished after getting in a car outside her home in East Patchogue, Suffolk County, New York. She would be missing for a harrowing 26 days before her father came to her rescue. Knight's arrest into the kidnapping comes more than week after Francis Buckheit, 64, was taken in custody where he was charged with first degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.
![[Francis Buckheit, attorney Danielle Marie Papa, in car.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/arrest-made-case-missing-teen-962140627.jpg?strip=all&w=540)
Knight was arrested based on statements from Emmarae and security footage from neighbouring homes in the Long Island area. Both Knight and Buckheit have pleaded not guilty. It is not yet known if the two men know each other. Knight's attorney, Glenn Obedin, told NBC New York they "look forward to rigorously defending this case.".
![[A man holding a teenage girl, reunited after she was found alive.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/arrest-made-case-missing-teen-962161940.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The suspect has previously spent five years in federal prison on narcotics trafficking charges in 2004. Court records show that Knight successfully posted his $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. Buckheit remains behind bars. The girl was seen on security footage less than 24 hours after her shock disappearance knocking on doors and helplessly wandering around Bohemia.
![[Francis Buckheit, attorney for the man charged in the Emmarae Gervasi kidnapping case.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/arrest-made-case-missing-teen-962139727_90b267.jpg?strip=all&w=493)
The daring mission saw Frank Gervasi launch his own investigation into the disappearance of his daughter. She was miraculously saved from a large boat near the White Cap Fish Market and Seafood Restaurant in Islip, Long Island on January 3 after Frank received an anonymous tip.
![[Teen girl in blue dress holding flowers on stage.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/arrest-made-case-missing-teen-962162122.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
