ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The father of a missing South Florida girl spoke Wednesday in Orange County as the search continues in Central Florida.
Gabrielle Terrelonge, 10, was last seen on June 30 with her mother, 34-year-old Passha Davis. Authorities said she was on a Greyhound bus that arrived at the Florida Mall that evening.
“It’s a nightmare, but a headache at the same time because I was looking for them. I’ve been looking for them for the past three, four months, Gordon Terrelonge said. “But I also had a court protective order to stay away from them – from a case we have in March. They put me in jail. So pretty much I was seen with them and May trying to get them off the streets, and she’s eluded me."
[VIDEO: Search expands for missing South Florida girl with focus on abandoned hotels in Osceola County]
Earlier this month, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said it was assisting the Margate Police Department and searching abandoned hotels for the girl as they have been known to visit the area.
Deputies said the girl and her family have been known to travel into Orlando and other parts of Orange County. They have used Greyhound and Flix buses for transportation.
Terrelonge was first reported missing by her father, Gordon Terrelonge, on Oct. 29 after it was discovered that Davis was incarcerated earlier in the month. Davis was arrested on a charge of child neglect without great bodily harm in connection with her daughter’s disappearance.
Davis was arrested at the Lauderhill transit station. According to her arrest report, she was allegedly shoplifting at a Margate dollar store when officers learned Gabrielle had not been seen for months.
Investigators have revealed that Davis is homeless and struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues. Despite questioning, Davis has not provided any information on Gabrielle’s whereabouts.
Davis claimed Terrelonge was supposed to be with her father, but investigators say there is no evidence to support this.
“She’s a very outgoing girl. Very vibrant. She she likes to have fun, but she is shy, too. She’s very shy. She would she wouldn’t just talk to anyone, but she talks to other kids. She’s very smart. She likes the color pink. Bright pink. That’s her favorite color," Gordon Terrelonge said while describing Gabrielle.
Also on Wednesday, Margate released a statement saying, “In furtherance of the on-going investigation of the disappearance of Gabrielle Terrelonge, the Margate Police Department has sent a team of investigators to Central Florida. These investigators will be canvassing the area and collaborating with local jurisdictions to find Gabrielle. Since the beginning of this investigation, our Criminal Investigations Division has worked tirelessly to determine how Gabrielle disappeared and where she is currently. Our investigators remain vigilant and continue to work with our federal and local partners until Gabrielle is found.”
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information.
Gordon Terrelonge concluded his comments on Wednesday saying, “I’m speaking in a position of a father that is desperate. Need help right now. Any help I can get to find her location, please. Please help us if you can.”