Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case

September 10, 2013

A Tate High School student last seen 12 years ago in North Escambia was among those remembered Monday on the 15th annual Florida Missing Children’s Day.

“Today we join Floridians in remembering all of the missing children of our state. We come together with their families to grieve, pray and offer our comfort and support. It’s important that we never forget our state’s most innocent victims and work to ensure that every child reported missing has a safe return,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Monday.

“Those of us who are parents understand that the loved ones of missing children will never stop loving them, and law enforcement will not stop searching for them,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey added.

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.

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.

FDLE invites the public to sign up to receive Missing Child Alerts and AMBER Alerts via email or text message by visiting www.missingchildrenalert.com. To view photos of missing children, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us.

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

8 Responses to “Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case”

  1. susan barnes on September 12th, 2013 10:17 pm

    Daniell is my cousins grandaughter i pray for susan. and patsay we. love them very much we are yout fsmily up in. bratt may god blesd

  2. Jerica on September 12th, 2013 10:44 am

    I knew Danielle from friends and everyone stated she was with Alfredo the night she went missing and that she went to a house on well line road with him that night . I wish he would give this family closure as this is such a horrible thing any parent could have to go through

  3. Barbie on September 11th, 2013 9:01 am

    I was really close to Danielles mom & they have questioned Alfredo on MANY occasions but aside from that…I have cousins who were friends of Danielles also & I could not imagine (even after being by Susans side daily) life not knowing their whereabouts or why someone would want them to dissapear. Anyone who can remember ANYTHING…even the slightest, tiniest shred of information could help lead to something to get answers!! Please help Danielles mom, sisters & family bring Danielle home to enjoy life or rest peacefully but please help give this family peace of mind!!! I think about you daily Susan and hope all is well with you. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

  4. Mom of 4 on September 10th, 2013 9:49 pm

    My heart breaks for her parents. The unknown must be horrible. I lift you up tonight in prayer.

  5. DOC on September 10th, 2013 2:19 pm

    I wonder why didn’t and why don’t they question Alfredo Sanchez, I know he is in prison now but if he was arrested for giving false information looks like to me he knows something……

  6. crystal saucier on September 10th, 2013 9:59 am

    I ATTENDED SCHOOL WITH DANIELLE! WE WERE REALLY CLOSE FRIENDS! I HAD JUST HAD MY SON @ AGE 15 WHEN DANIELLE INVITED ME TO A PARTY! BUT, I COULDN’T GO BECAUSE I HAD A NEWBORN SON! I JUST WISH I COULD TALK TO HER AGAIN! I THINK ABOUT HER ALL THE TIME! I HAVE 3 KIDS OF MY OWN NOW & CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT DANI’S FAMILY MUST BE GOING THROUGH!!! I PRAY FOR SOME ANSWERS!!! DANIELLE IS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL & A GREAT FRIEND!!! I SURE DO MISS HER!!!

  7. Someone knows on September 10th, 2013 9:52 am

    I was at EHS in 2001 & sadly don’t remember this :( and now I live on this street, just houses down. Someone at that party knows. I don’t understand why no know at the party would come forward. People talk & after this many years someone knows. Just sad. Not knowing what really happen. Really scary knowing this happened near where I live.

  8. Molino Mom on September 10th, 2013 6:08 am

    My daughter cheered with Danielle at Cantonment Ballpark. Its so sad that her parents have had to suffer all these years not knowing what happened to her. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering they have endured all these years! I pray one day Danielle will be found so this family can have some kind of peace in their lives. Just know that we all haven’t forgotten Danielle either and we continue to pray for your family!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News