The Disappearance of Danielle Bell
Introduction
Danielle Arion Bell went missing on Friday, September 28th, 2001 from Cantonment, a small town in the northwest corner of Florida, outside of Pensacola. Her sister, Bonnie, has been advocating for her sister’s case for years, pushing local law enforcement to conduct a proper investigation, which they failed to do initially.
Danielle was born on July 28th, 1987. She was 14-years-old, and was attending Tate High School when she disappeared. She was a cheerleader, loved to dance, and was loved in her community. Danielle lived with her mother at her grandmother’s home. Bonnie was 20, and was attending college when her little sister went missing.
According to The Charley Project, Danielle was last seen wearing a sky-blue halter top with glitter in the fabric, a blue Tommy Hilfiger jacket, black pants, black dress shoes with a medium heel, a dolphin-shaped ring, a heart-shaped ring, a silver neck chain, diamond earrings, a gold ring set with an emerald and two diamonds, and a gold ring set with a ruby and a garnet. She was carrying a Tommy Hilfiger purse.
A Troubling Childhood
Bonnie, Danielle's sister, shared the devastating details of their tumultuous upbringing. Raised in an environment marked by their mother’s severe drug use and involvement in sex work, Bonnie and her siblings endured profound emotional abuse and neglect. Documentation uncovered during a private investigation demonstrated that their mother involved 14-year-old Danielle in her substance use and sex work, putting her in danger, involving her with older men.
Danielle’s Disappearance
Danielle disappeared on the evening of Friday, September 28th, 2001. She was last seen at 588 Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment, which was the home of 24-year-old Robert Basset Jr. Robert Louis Bassett Jr., was close friends with another 24-year-old named Alfredo Sanchez, who was in an inappropriate sexual relationship with Danielle who was 14 at the time.
On the night of the 28th, there was a party that initially began at a local park before moving to Robert’s home. The party obviously had several minors in attendance. Are you curious as to why two 24-year-old men were having a party with minors? I am too…
According to friends and family close to Danielle, she was introduced to Alfredo through his cousin Roelle, who was also a fully grown man. Roelle was dating one of Danielle’s friends, who was also 14. Are you noticing a disturbing common theme here?
Witnesses stated that they left the part that night, and Danielle stayed behind with Robert, who allegedly began threatening people after Danielle disappeared. Robert was arrested on unrelated charges after Danielle’s disappearance, but he was never charged in connection with her case. After his arrest, authorities searched his home, but have never stated publicly whether or not they collected any evidence.
Sanchez was eventually arrested in 2005, facing charges of unlawful activity with a minor, lewd or lascivious battery, and molestation. Despite being sentenced to 15 years in prison, Sanchez continued to appeal, arguing for post-conviction relief based on an expired statute of limitations. His appeals were denied, rightfully so.
Alfredo Sanchez
Robert Basset Jr.
Today
As of the date of this recording, Danielle is missing endangered with foul play suspected. Bonnie is trying to work with authorities to solve her sister’s case, but in the most recent communication between Bonnie and Escambia, they could not provide her with the 911 call her mother made on Sunday, September 30th, nor could they provide her with information as to what happened to the 911 call.
Alfredo Sanchez’s current release date is March 5th, 2046. Robert Bassett Jr.’s release date is December 27th, 2025. If you know anything about the disappearance of Danielle Bell, or the individuals I just mentioned in connection with her case, please contact Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigating Agency
Escambia County Sheriff's Office 850-436-9620
Cold Case Unit
