Father Files $10M Lawsuit Alleging Systemic Failures and Sexual Assault at Psychiatric Facilities

Frank Gervasi's journey to reunite with his daughter Emmarae after nearly a month of captivity has unraveled into a second crisis, this time within the very institutions meant to protect her. The father, who orchestrated a dramatic yacht-based rescue in December 2024, now faces a harrowing new chapter as he alleges systemic failures at two psychiatric facilities. His $10 million civil lawsuit, filed on April 3, accuses Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center and Brentwood Residential Center of allowing his daughter to be sexually assaulted by staff during her recovery. The claims, detailed in court documents, paint a grim picture of betrayal and negligence, with the facilities allegedly failing to safeguard a child already traumatized by sex trafficking.

Gervasi's ordeal began on December 9, 2024, when Emmarae, then 14, vanished after retrieving items from a Jeep outside their home in East Patchogue. The search that followed was exhaustive, involving local law enforcement and Gervasi's relentless efforts. The breakthrough came 26 days later, when an anonymous tip led him to a yacht near Long Island. In a video shared on Facebook, Gervasi recounted the emotional moment of finding his daughter alive, describing it as a "gift from God." The yacht, identified as the *Buckheit*, was later linked to Francis Buckheit, who faces charges of rape and kidnapping. Over two years, 23 individuals have been arrested in connection with the trafficking network, spanning two states and implicating 19 men and four others.

The lawsuit alleges that Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center, where Emmarae was placed after her rescue, failed to prevent further trauma. Deshaun McClean, a 43-year-old therapist, is accused of inappropriately touching the teen multiple times. Despite Sagamore officials allegedly informing Gervasi about McClean's behavior, the suit claims the abuse continued. The father was assured by the facility that McClean would not be a threat to his daughter, but less than a week later, he was allegedly sexually assaulted by the same individual. The facility's response, or lack thereof, has become central to the lawsuit's claims of institutional complicity.

Compounding the tragedy, the lawsuit also names Darryl Joyner, a 58-year-old state worker, who is accused of offering Emmarae drugs in exchange for seeing her nude while she was in the care of Brentwood Residential Center. Suffolk Police have charged Joyner with endangering the welfare of a child. A third individual, whose identity remains uncharged, is also accused of assaulting Emmarae at Brentwood. Both McClean and Joyner are free on cash bail and face court dates in late April.

The allegations against the psychiatric facilities highlight a critical gap in the system designed to rehabilitate survivors of trauma. Gervasi's legal team emphasizes that the care Emmarae received was not only inadequate but actively harmful. The lawsuit demands not just financial compensation but a reckoning with the failures of institutions entrusted with protecting vulnerable youth. As the case unfolds, it raises urgent questions about accountability, the adequacy of oversight in mental health care, and the long-term consequences for survivors who are retraumatized by those meant to help them.

For Gervasi, the pain is compounded by the knowledge that his daughter's initial rescue was followed by another violation of trust. The lawsuit is not just about monetary damages—it is a plea for systemic change and a warning to others who may find themselves in similar situations. As the legal battle progresses, the story of Emmarae and her father serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of safety for those who have already endured unimaginable horrors.