SARASOTA, Fla. — The search for missing North Carolina teenager Giovanni Pelletier has intensified, with nonprofit group We Are The Essentials joining efforts to locate the 18-year-old, last seen on August 1 while on a family vacation in Florida.
The group, now in its fourth day of searching, has covered areas in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Giovanni had been vacationing with relatives in Englewood before leaving early on August 1 to visit more family in Brevard County.
Licensed private investigator and volunteer Shelley Croft said Giovanni was picked up that morning by three cousins from Mims, whom he had only met through text and FaceTime. Twenty-one minutes after leaving, Giovanni sent his mother a troubling message reading, “Mom help me.”
The cousins told deputies that as they traveled north on Interstate 75, Giovanni began acting erratically, then exited the vehicle near State Road 70 in Manatee County. His cell phone and backpack were later found in the area, but no further trace of him.
His mother, Bridgette Pelletier, described her son as someone who avoids burdening others with his problems. “He lights up a room,” she said, noting the wide network of people now working to find him.
Searches have been conducted throughout the week, including in Mims, where Giovanni was headed. Croft stressed the urgency, saying the nonprofit is dedicating all available resources despite volunteers missing work to assist.
On Thursday, the group searched near River Road and Interstate 75 in Sarasota County and plans to revisit the Manatee County location where his belongings were discovered. They are urging anyone with dashcam footage from August 1 to review it, particularly for sightings of a white Chevy Malibu, which could help establish a timeline.
Giovanni’s family, who had planned to return to North Carolina last weekend, has chosen to remain in Florida until he is found. They have increased the reward for information leading to his recovery to $25,000.
Croft said the family is determined. “It doesn’t matter how old your child is, everybody deserves those answers. They are desperate at this point.”
