The father of a missing Florida teenager believes his 16-year-old daughter may have been coerced into leaving their home before her phone went dark hours later. Sophia Cover vanished from her Naples residence around 12:45 a.m. on July 31, less than two weeks before she was scheduled to return to high school.
Richard Cover, Sophia's father, told The Post that he suspects someone convinced his daughter to leave under false pretenses. He described Sophia as someone who enjoyed seeking attention and believes she could have been persuaded to leave by another individual. "I think someone has my daughter. That’s my best answer," he stated.
Surveillance footage shows Sophia leaving the family home with a bag containing clothes, new sneakers, and a hair straightener. Her location-sharing app was disabled, and her phone has since been going straight to voicemail.
Cover reported that he and his girlfriend, with whom he lives along with their four children, were alerted to Sophia's absence when her dog began crying in her room around 6:15 a.m. He found her bedroom door locked, which he described as unusual, before realizing she was gone. He expressed that Sophia was excited about their family's recent move to Florida five months prior and about returning to school. He does not believe she would have left voluntarily or caused such distress.
Collier County authorities have reportedly initiated a multi-agency investigation into Sophia Cover's disappearance. Her father has also launched an online and community search effort for clues.