Search Continues In 10-Year Old Case Of Missing Teen Danielle Bell

September 13, 2011

A Tate High School student last seen 10 years ago in North Escambia was among those remembered Monday on the 13th annual Florida Missing Children’s Day.

Danielle Arion Bell, 14, was last seen at a party in September 2001 in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.

“It is imperative that we continue to devote all available resources and raise awareness of those who are missing, regardless of age,” said Gov. Rick Scott Monday.  “As a parent, my heart goes out to the families of Florida’s missing children and my prayers are with them.  We are also eternally grateful for our law enforcement community and citizens who tirelessly work to protect our children every day.”

Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.

During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.

In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home.  As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area.  Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. She would now be 24 years old. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani”, was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.

Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Pictured top: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Search Continues In 10-Year Old Case Of Missing Teen Danielle Bell”

  1. curious on September 14th, 2011 12:42 pm

    Someone…somewhere….knows something. Wish that person, or persons, would come forward and give closure to this family. Even if you were not personally involved, but have pertinent information, please pass it along to the authorities so they can bring this case to a close.

  2. 429SCJ on September 14th, 2011 12:03 pm

    The gentleman she left the party with, is who we need to be talking with. I wonder if he is still in this area? I would suggest he be interviewed by professionals with the strenght, stamina and investigative techniques to extract this information from Mr Name Omitted. I believe this case will eventually be closed.

  3. Christy on September 13th, 2011 1:49 pm

    Sad story! I can’t imagine the worries of the unknown. I pray for comfort for her family & friends. God is in control & he let’s things happen for reason that we will never understand. I would like to thank the family along with everyone that has searched for this missing person for such a long time. I’m sure her family will never give up hope! I don’t understand how some families just accept or say that a person is dead when they have no body or clues! Praying for all families that have missing loved ones!!!!

  4. Sad on September 13th, 2011 11:55 am

    Its a shame, this poor family has had to suffer all these years not knowing what happened to Danielle. It seems from the past few articles in recent years, law enforcement for some reason keeps coming back to this same house. Danielle was last seen at this house during a party (which this house had often!) and then left with an older guy and was NEVER seen again. Wonder if the older guy passed a polygraph? If he refused to take one, that would pretty much tell us what we need to know and maybe try to prosecute him. Its worked before, even with no body being found.
    Danielle cheered with my daughter at Cantonment ballpark. It was just so horrible to hear about her disappearance. She was a handful at the time, like most girls are at that age. She was sneaking out of the house for days on end and partying (again, alot of teenage girls do), her parents had no idea where she was and was worried to death!
    If nothing else comes good of this, maybe a young girl who wants to act like shes grown and knows everything will read this story and change her mind.
    I’m sure Danielle didn’t think anything would happen to her either. IT DOES!!
    There are monsters out there in our world…please be careful!!

  5. jcellops on September 13th, 2011 5:34 am

    i wonder if alfredo sanchez was questioned because of his FLDE sexual preditor status?…