It’s been weeks since she was nearly stuffed into a kidnapper’s stolen truck — but Emma Marine still won’t leave her family’s side.
The diminutive but brave St. Johns County girl’s father, David Marine, opened up about her attempts at recuperation, conveying the psychological wreckage the incident has inflicted on his child.
“The emotional and mental toll this has taken on her is something I can barely describe,” he wrote in a GoFundMe campaign to support her recovery. “She’s been left shaken, constantly anxious, and deeply traumatized.”
Marine — who courageously fought off Theodore Tundidor’s frenzied assault — finds emotional respite only in the cocoon of family.
“She had been saving for a car, an apartment, and college — trying to create a future for herself step by step,” he wrote. “Now, she’s in survival mode,”
Though Emma, 18, is trying to move forward with potential job opportunities, the trauma refuses to loosen its hold.
“She doesn’t feel safe unless she’s near family,” David said. “She hasn’t been able to return to work yet, though she’s trying — she has potential job opportunities lined up and the determination to push through this.”
In an incident that drew national shock, Marine was attacked during her shift at a local vape shop when Tundidor attempted to forcibly abduct her after stealing merchandise.
Surveillance footage showed Tundidor pushing Marine out of the store, putting her in a chokehold, and trying to drag her into his truck.
Despite her terror, Marine fought back fiercely, screaming and resisting the assault.
“I just kept fighting back and screaming,” Marine said in an interview with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office after the incident.
She credited her parents’ advice to “always fight back” as her guiding principle during the attack.
Tundidor, who was on probation for smashing up his mother’s home with a hammer, fled the scene but was later caught after a brief chase. He faces multiple charges including kidnapping, robbery, and grand theft auto.
The family is seeking $5,000 through the GoFundMe campaign to cover rent, food, transportation, therapy, and other expenses.
“She needs support. She needs time. She needs help getting back on her feet,” her father said. “If you can give anything, please know it’s going toward someone who truly deserves peace, healing, and the chance to rebuild without fear holding her back.”
