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

A Tate High School student last seen 14 years ago in North Escambia was among those remembered Monday on the 2015 Florida Missing Children’s Day in Tallahassee.

““Our prayers are with each of the parents and loved ones of missing children for the heartache that they have experienced. Florida remains a national leader in combating these terrible crimes, and we will continue to work together to shine a light on any crime that places the life of a child at risk,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Monday.

In 2014, more than 35,000 incidents of missing children were reported to Florida law enforcement agencies and six AMBER Alerts were issued statewide.  Since its inception, 192 AMBER Alerts have been issued, including two so far this year.   AMBER Alerts have directly aided in the rescue of 62 children.

“We will never forget about these children and their families.  We will continue to search and investigate, regardless of how long it’s been, to bring missing children home and provide answers for their families,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey added.

Danielle Arion Bell was last seen at age 14 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. 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.