Haunting footage shows girl, 16, sneak out door of family's home in dead of night before vanishing without a trace

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 00:38, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 00:44, 8 August 2026 A Florida teenager was seen sneaking out of her home in the dead of night before she disappeared without a trace, as her family beg for her safe return.  Sophia Cover, 16, vanished from her family's home in Golden Gate Estates, about 30 miles south of Fort Myers, just before 1am on July 31.  'There is no way that she's going and leaving, putting me through this for five days,' Richard Cover, her father, told Gulf Coast News.  'There's no way. I don't care what the reason is.' Sophia was spotted on security footage of the Cover's home at around 12.45am in a hoodie while feeling her way through the dark. 'That day, she wasn't; it was locked. So the dogs whine. And so, I walk around, go through the pool bathroom door and that's unlocked,' Cover told the outlet.  'And then I walk into her bedroom and she's nowhere to be found.' Sophia and her family moved to the area just four months ago, they said, adding that they don't believe the teen is capable of running away, Gulf Coast News reported. Sophia Cover, 16, vanished from her family's home in Golden Gate Estates, Florida, just before 1am on July 31 Richard Cover, Sophia's father, said he believes that 'someone has my daughter' and that the teenager is 'in trouble right now' Sophia was spotted on security footage of the Cover's home at around 12.45am in a hoodie while feeling her way through the dark 'I think that she left the house because someone either convinced her to, or promised her something and I think that she's in trouble right now. I think someone has my daughter, is what I believe.' 'That's what I believe, and I hope I'm wrong,' he added through tears.  'She's my buddy. I thought I wasn't going to cry man.'  According to the distraught father, Sophia's older siblings are 'going nuts' and the rest of their family has been desperately trying to help bring her home.  Sophia's aunt, Jackie Vileikis, shared on social media that the teenager left with her iPhone, which has since been turned off.  'Sophia, if you happen to see this, please know we are extremely scared and worried about your safety. We just want to know that you're okay and want you home safe,' her father wrote on Facebook.  In a later post, Cover said that 'every hour that passes is heartbreaking for our family.' '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 continued.  Sophia's aunt, Jackie Vileikis, shared on social media that the teenager left with her iPhone, which has since been turned off According to the distraught father, Sophia's older siblings are 'going nuts' and the rest of their family has been desperately trying to help bring her home 'Every minute without her feels unbearable. We miss her so much and just want to know that she’s safe.' Her father has launched an online effort to try and find Sophia and hopefully communicate with his daughter. 'I have buried myself into finding her,' he told the outlet. 'The biggest thing I think is I am focused on finding her more than anything else.' 'Everybody is looking for you, and, if you're out there on your own, it's really easy to come home. You can go to any police officer. You can go to any adult that is safe.' Sophia's great-grandmother said in a heartbreaking video posted on social media: 'I love you, I love you, I love you. Please, come home. I want to see you again. Okay? I'm waiting for you Sophia. I want to see you Sophia. I love you. I love you. I love you.' Sophia is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 115 pounds, and has long brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators say there are currently no leads on her whereabouts and are urging anyone with information to come forward.  'Sophia, if you see this…I need you to know that I love you more than words could ever explain. There isn’t a single day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I miss your smile, your laugh, and hearing your voice. Home just isn’t the same without you here,' her father wrote on Facebook. 'I’m not giving up on you. I’ll keep searching, keep hoping, and keep praying until you’re home safe. No matter what’s happened or how much time has passed, you’re my daughter, and that will never change. Sophia's great-grandmother said in a heartbreaking video posted on social media: 'I love you, I love you, I love you. Please, come home. I want to see you again. Okay? I'm waiting for you Sophia. I want to see you Sophia. I love you. I love you. I love you' Sophia is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 115 pounds, and has long brown hair and brown eyes 'If you’re scared, hurting, or don’t know what to do, please just let someone know you’re okay. You don’t have to go through anything alone. I just want to know you’re safe and bring you home where you belong. 'I love you with all my heart, Sophia. I’ll always be your dad, and I’ll always be waiting for you with open arms. Please come home.' Deputies emphasized that any details regarding her disappearance are essential to bringing her home. Contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office at 239-252-9300 with any information on Sophia Cover.  The Daily Mail reached out to the Collier County Sheriff's Office for comment.