Still Searching: Danielle Bell Has Now Been Missing From North Escambia For 25 Years
September 29, 2026
A Tate High School student has now been missing for 25 years.
Danielle Arion Bell was last seen at age 14 at a September 2001 party in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man who was in his mid-20s at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home.
As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area. Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani,” was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The freshman enjoyed dancing and drawing.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured first below: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured first below: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
ECFR: Grease Fire On Stove Caused Cantonment Mobile Home Fire
September 29, 2026
The cause of a Saturday evening fire that damaged a Cantonment mobile home and displaced residents has been determined to be an accidental grease fire on the stove.
Escambia County Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 1000 block of North Highway 29 on Saturday, September 26, arriving to find the mobile home engulfed in flames. Firefighters mounted an attack and brought the blaze under control by 7:06 p.m.
The home sustained significant damage, but no injuries were reported.
The Cantonment, Ensley, and Bellview stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the call, along with Escambia County EMS and Florida Power & Light.
The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Search Leads To Two Arrests; ECSO Report Reveals Foul Play Suspected In Man’s Disappearance
September 28, 2026
New details have emerged following an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office search in Cottage Hill on September 17, including the arrests of two individuals and court documents revealing that investigators believe an active missing person case involves foul play.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant at a mobile home and property in the 1000 block of Wendy Drive, off Parker Road. Multiple deputies, crime scene technicians, and the Legacy K9 Search team spent hours processing the location. An ECSO report obtained by NorthEscambiac.com confirmed the search was tied to the disappearance of 39-year-old Corey Shane McBride, who was reported missing to the sheriff’s office on March 7, 2026, after last contacting family on January 1, 2026.
No body has been found, and McBride remains missing.
On the day of the search, authorities arrested 44-year-old Steven Sam Patshy on an unrelated outstanding warrant from Baldwin County, Alabama. Patshy has since been extradited to Baldwin County.
Deputies also arrested 42-year-old Priscilla Kaye Plott, who listed her address as the home on Wendy Drive.
According to an arrest report, Plott was charged with felony criminal use of personal identification information, felony use of personal identification information concerning a deceased individual, felony unlawful possession or receipt of a stolen credit or debit card, and misdemeanor receipt of money or property obtained by fraudulent use of credit cards. Her bond was set at $16,500.
Investigators stated in the report that McBride is “believed to be the victim of foul play based upon the current ongoing investigation” and that “multiple witnesses have provided sworn statements that (McBride) is deceased.”
In a March 19 interview with deputies, Plott gave a sworn statement claiming that she and McBride had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship that officially ended on January 11, and that she had not seen him since.
However, investigators subpoenaed records for McBride’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and found a $37.29 purchase made at the Walmart on Pine Forest Road on March 29. Store surveillance video showed Plott conducting the transaction alone, swiping McBride’s card and entering the PIN. The purchase was one of four transactions made using McBride’s account after his disappearance was reported.
The report notes state-level agencies assisted with the financial investigation. An ECSO investigator coordinated with the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Public Assistance Fraud, which confirmed through the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency EBT Operations that McBride had never designated an authorized representative to access or use his benefits.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information regarding McBride’s case is urged to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Plott was released from the Escambia County Jail on a a $16,500 bond, and Patshy was released from the Baldwin County jail, according to jail records.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
West Roberts Road Is Open Again. What’s Next?
September 27, 2026
West Roberts Road was reopened by Saturday following a cycle of on-again, off-again closures since late August.
Traffic was flowing smoothly on Saturday afternoon without detours or a portable construction zone traffic signal.
However, the $5.16 million West Roberts Road Roadway and Drainage Improvements Project is not yet done. The entrances into side roads, such as Tate Road, Stallion Road, and Southern Oaks Drive into Forest Creek, are all still gravel and unpaved, plus there is obvious remaining shoulder and drainage work to be completed.
Escambia County says intermittent lane closures will resume along West Roberts Road as crews continue working toward completion.
The entire project, first scheduled to be completed this fall, is now set for completion this winter, if the weather and “construction coordination” permit, according to the county.
Pictured: West Roberts Road from Tate Road to Southern Oaks Drive as seen Saturday afternoon, September 26. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fall Tradition: Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
September 27, 2026
It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.
The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment for the 31st year.
Volunteers from the Northview High School NJROTC and the Tribal Beat Band helped unload and set up the pumpkins on Thursday.
The pumpkin patch is located under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road and is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. Organizers say that the pumpkin patch will not be selling smoked turkey legs this year.
Pictured: The Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch on Saturday afternoon, September 26. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Marshal Now Investigating Cause Of Fire At Chili’s Restaurant On Nine Mile
September 26, 2026
The state fire marshal’s is now investigating a Thursday fire at the Chili’s one West Nine Mile Road.
At least nine Escambia County Fire Rescue fire trucks and ladder trucks responded to the fire just after 9 a.m. at the restaurant at 529 West Nine Mile Road, arriving to find smoke coming from the building. Firefighters determined that there was an active fire between the ceiling and the roof.
ECFR also assisted two contract workers with getting down from the roof safely after they were unable to access their ladder due to the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
The restaurant remains closed following the fire, and there’s no word on when it might reopen. NorthEscambia reached out to the company for more information on Friday, but we did not receive a response.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
