BOHEMIA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — The parents of a missing Long Island girl need help finding her. The young woman was on a cross country trip when communication went dry.
On Monday, CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis heard a plea from her family speaking from their lawyer’s office in Bohemia.
Gabby Petito’s emotional mother, who was holding on to a photo of her daughter, is desperate for her to come home.
“It’s scary and it’s nerve wracking. We don’t eat. We don’t sleep. We’re just actively looking for her,” Nichole Schmidt said.
Petito’s family reported her missing Saturday to Suffolk County police. The 22-year-old from Blue Point was on a cross country road trip, but kept in touch with her mom.
“At least three times a week we would FaceTime, call, text frequently. She kept me updated on this whole trip,” Schmidt said.
Gabby Petito (Photo: gabspetito/Instagram)
Schmidt said they last FaceTimed about three weeks ago, adding last text she received was on Aug. 30.
“The first couple of days when I wasn’t getting responses, I believed she was in a place with no service. It was like day eight and nine that I really became concerned,” Schmidt said.
Police say Petito is believed to have last been in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Video of the trip was uploaded to YouTube on Aug. 19.
Her mother said she left New York in early July for the trip which was set to end in Oregon next month. She was traveling in a white van which police say has been recovered.
“I just believe she’s in danger because she’s not in touch with us and she could be alone somewhere, stranded somewhere in the wilderness and she needs help,” Schmidt said. “I believe a mother’s instinct is the most powerful.”
Petito’s parents say she was traveling with her boyfriend, who she has been living with in Florida for the past two years, but they wouldn’t comment further. All they want, is to find her.
“Gabby, we just want you to come home. Call us. Let us know you’re OK. Just come home,” James Schmidt said.
“We miss you,” her mother added.
Petito is about 5-foot-5 and 110 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. She has several tattoos, including one on her forearm that reads “Let it be.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to aid in the search for Petito.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on Petito’s disappearance to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls can remain anonymous.
from CBS New York https://ift.tt/2Izr88c
