A 16-year-old Florida girl has vanished after being captured on home security footage leaving her residence in the dead of night. Sophia Cover disappeared from her family's home in Golden Gate Estates, approximately 30 miles south of Fort Myers, shortly before 1 a.m. on July 31.
Her father, Richard Cover, expressed deep concern, stating he believes his daughter is in trouble and that someone may have her. He told Gulf Coast News that there is no way she would leave voluntarily, given the distress it has caused the family. The family had moved to the area just four months prior to the disappearance.
The security footage shows Sophia wearing a hoodie and moving through the darkness outside the home. Her father discovered she was missing when he checked on her after hearing the family dogs whine. He found a door to a pool bathroom unlocked and then realized she was not in her bedroom.
Sophia's aunt, Jackie Vileikis, shared on social media that the teenager left with her iPhone, which has since been turned off. Richard Cover posted on Facebook, appealing for Sophia's safe return and stating that every hour that passes is heartbreaking for the family. He emphasized their fear and worry, urging the public to share information.
"We are not angry. We are terrified and just want to know that Sophia is safe. Every share and every set of eyes looking for her gives us hope," he wrote. "Every minute without her feels unbearable. We miss her so much and just want to know that she’s safe."
Richard Cover has launched an online effort to find his daughter and pleaded with her to come home, suggesting she could approach any police officer or safe adult if she is in trouble. Sophia's great-grandmother also shared a video plea for her return.
Sophia is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 115 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators currently have no leads on her whereabouts. The Collier County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with information to contact them at 239-252-9300.