Long Island man pleads guilty to raping 14-year-old girl who went missing last year.
A Long Island man has entered a guilty plea regarding the rape of a 14-year-old girl who was missing for nearly a month last year. Kevin McDonald, a 21-year-old resident of Bellport, faced charges connected to the incident, which occurred on December 10, 2024. On that date, McDonald admitted to a single count of second-degree rape, as reported by Media News Source. Prosecutors are expected to recommend a six-month prison sentence along with ten years of probation during the upcoming sentencing hearing scheduled for December 3.
The case drew significant attention after the victim initially disappeared from her home in Patchogue, with her father ultimately locating her on a yacht on January 3, 2025. During the investigation, it was revealed that the girl had met McDonald in his vehicle, where they allegedly consumed marijuana and engaged in sexual activity. Following their encounter, he transported her to the Starwood Inn in Bohemia. This location marked the last sighting of the teenager before her father found her.
The investigation surrounding the girl’s disappearance has been extensive and far-reaching, resulting in 23 arrests across two states. McDonald is the first individual to plead guilty in this ongoing case, with 11 of the 23 arrested individuals facing felony charges. Defense attorneys for McDonald emphasized that he had no prior interactions with the other suspects involved in the case and that he was previously unacquainted with the criminal justice system.
The victim’s disappearance prompted police inquiries into potential sex trafficking activities. The girl was reported missing after leaving her home on December 9, 2024, and was later discovered aboard a yacht owned by 64-year-old Francis Burkheit, docked in Islip. Burkheit faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree kidnapping, child sex trafficking, use of a child in a sexual performance, and second-degree rape. Authorities alleged that he had intentions to transport the girl to the Carolinas.
Significantly, prior concerns about the victim’s safety were raised a year before her disappearance. The girl’s family had sent her to a rehabilitation facility in Minnesota, where she reportedly suffered abuse, leading to serious legal consequences for two state employees among those arrested in the wider investigation. The case highlights the troubling issues surrounding child safety, criminal behavior, and the complexities of trafficking investigations in the region.
