Reward Increased for Missing Teen Who Texted 'Help Me' Before Disappearing in Florida

Disappearance of Giovani Peller

• 📌 The reward for information leading to 18-year-old Giovani Peller has been increased to $25,000.
• 💔 Tomorrow marks one week since Giovani disappeared while traveling to visit family in Florida.
• 💬 Giovani's lawyer states the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are out of character for him.

Circumstances of Disappearance

• 🚗 Giovani was traveling with cousins from North Carolina to visit relatives in Bvard County, Florida.
• 📱 He texted his mother, "Help me," before the events leading to his vanishing.
• 🚶‍♂️ According to those in the car, Giovani began acting erratically, exited the vehicle, and walked away near I-75 and State Road 70 in Manatee County.
• 🎒 His backpack and phone were later found on the side of the road.

Family's Plea and Investigation

• ❓ Giovani's mother expressed that the current narrative does not seem to be the true story and feels there is disappointment with law enforcement support.
• 🤝 A nonprofit search group, We Are the Essentials, and Giovani's family are actively searching parts of Sarasota County and Englewood.
• ⏱️ They emphasize the critical nature of the first 24 hours in a missing person case, noting they are now on day seven.
• 📹 The family is requesting anyone with footage of the white Chevy Malibu Giovani was traveling in to come forward to help establish a timeline.
• 💔 The family states their lives are not the same without Giovani and they will not stop searching until he is home.