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

May 25, 2019

A Tate High School student last seen 18 years ago in North Escambia is among those being remembered Saturday on National  Missing Children’s Day.

“As we enter the summer months, it’s a good time for parents to remind their children about staying safe, whether they are home alone, online or playing with a new group of friends,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen.

During 2018, Florida law enforcement agencies received 27,611 reports of missing children, the vast majority of whom were safely recovered.

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.

Follow FDLE on Facebook or Twitter to be notified when a Florida AMBER or Missing Child Alert is activated or sign up to receive email or text message at www.missingchildrenalert.com.

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

  1. Anita Lewiw on May 27th, 2019 7:20 pm

    I pray she and her family get justice. Speaking from experience, closure never comes
    It doesn’t exist when something this horrible happens, but justice can bring some peace in at least knowing some of what happened and that the person who did it is being held responsible.

  2. Yep on May 25th, 2019 12:57 pm

    I got excited when I saw this picture, before I had read the header, I thought maybe she had been found. I hope her family gets some closure, and some answers.

  3. AJ on May 25th, 2019 11:47 am

    We were in a few classes together. She was such a sweet young lady. I remember how kind she was to me when others were not. I pray her family gets some answers. She touched so many lives.

  4. Barbie on May 25th, 2019 10:11 am

    I think about her Mom & Sisters every time I hear this story. Someone knows something & after all these years you would think that people would say it’s time & give this family a lil peace of mind!! Even the smallest detail remembered could lead to other unanswered questions being resolved!!!! I pray for answers for this family one day!!!!

  5. Just me on May 25th, 2019 8:48 am

    Loss of words….
    Dani has left a family that loves her deeply and has never given up hope of finding her! I personally can’t imagine life with a family member missing…
    If only there was just one person to come forward with information to find her – SOMEBODY KNOWS!!! This family so deserves closure!!!

  6. Me on May 25th, 2019 8:33 am

    I pray this family gets the closure they so much deserve.

  7. David on May 25th, 2019 7:14 am

    I’m with you HR

  8. HF on May 25th, 2019 3:46 am

    ❤️