Charlotte Sena kidnapping: Suspect arrested as child found safe

October 04, 2023 01:16 AM

Charlotte Sena, the 9-year-old girl who went missing in New York over the weekend, was found safe on Monday hidden in a cabinet in the residence of a man whom authorities detained as a suspect.

Information continues to come out about the investigation into Sena’s disappearance, including what authorities know about 47-year-old Craig Ross Jr., identified as the suspect who was found due to a ransom note left in the mailbox at Sena’s home.

Kidnapping Rescue — This photo provided by the Saratoga County, N.Y., Sheriff’s Office shows Craig N. Ross Jr., who was arraigned overnight on kidnapping charges, in Milton, N.Y., the state police announced Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2023. Officials say a fingerprint on a ransom note led police to the kidnapping suspect’s camper where 9-year-old Charlotte Sena was found hidden in a cabinet, ending a two-day search after the girl disappeared during a family camping trip in northern New York. (Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

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It was shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday when Sena was last seen riding her bike at Moreau State Lake Park in Saratoga County, New York. She was camping with her family when she went off biking with friends and never returned, police said. Authorities said her bike was found nearby, and they feared she had been abducted. The next morning, an Amber Alert was issued.

Police were monitoring Sena’s home and neighborhood at about 4 a.m. Monday, when the suspect drove there and put a ransom note in their mailbox, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) told CNN. Police were able to find a fingerprint on the note, which ultimately led them to Ross.

According to the news outlet, investigators learned Ross was living in a camper behind his mother’s residence, and they used two SWAT teams to get inside. They arrested Ross, who sustained minor injuries while resisting, according to police, and found Sena hidden inside a cabinet in the home. Sena appeared to be healthy but was taken to a nearby hospital to make sure, said Hochul, who lauded the efforts of investigators in securing Sena’s safety.

Missing Girl — This photo provided by her family on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, shows Charlotte Sena, 9, who vanished during a camping trip in upstate New York. Officials fear Charlotte may have been abducted while riding her bicycle Saturday evening, Sept. 30, 2023, in Moreau Lake State Park, about 35 miles (60 kilometers) north of Albany, N.Y. (Family photo via AP)

“A suspect has been identified and taken into custody in the abduction of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena. I promised Charlotte’s parents we’d leave no stone unturned in our search. Now, because of the extraordinary work of law enforcement, Charlotte will be reunited with her family,” the New York governor posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday.

“Law enforcement teams were relentless in finding this little girl — putting the pieces together and leaving no cabin unturned — to bring Charlotte home to her parents. Charlotte is safe and her abductor is behind bars tonight,” Hochul added.

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Ross is jailed without bail at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility on a charge of first-degree kidnapping, and additional charges are expected, officials told ABC News on Tuesday.

The Sena family released a statement after their daughter’s return, saying, “We are thrilled that she is home and we understand that the outcome is not what every family gets. A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State Police, all of the agencies that were mobilized all of the families, friends, volunteers.”