NORTH PORT, Fla. – Saturday is National Daughters Day, and the parents of New York’s Gabby Petito, who mourners around the country have referred to as “America’s daughter,” spent it preparing for her funeral Sunday.
Petito’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, posted on Facebook Friday to grieve the loss of her daughter.
“As I scroll through all the posts, my heart is full of love. I wish I could reach out and hug each and every one of you!!! Your support has been so overwhelming and we are so filled with gratitude. Please know what you are all doing for us does not go unnoticed, and with all of you by our side, we will get #justiceforgabby.”
The parents of Brian Laundrie, who police have named as a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance, also have a daughter. For much of the day they were ducking scrutiny at their home in North Port, Fla., where their son arrived on Sept. 1 in…

