After a massive two-day search, a 9-year-old girl who had gone missing during a family camping trip in Saratoga County over the weekend was found “safe and in good health” on Monday night. The search ended with her rescue and the arrest of the man suspected in her abduction, as confirmed by New York State Police.
Charlotte Sena, the 9-year-old girl, disappeared while riding her bike at Moreau Lake State Park, a heavily wooded area approximately 35 miles north of Albany. Governor Kathy Hochul announced during a news conference that investigators were able to identify a fingerprint from a ransom note allegedly left by the suspect, identified as Craig Nelson Ross Jr.
Here are the key details about Charlotte Sena’s disappearance and rescue:
Who is Charlotte Sena?
Charlotte Sena is a 9-year-old fourth-grader from Greenfield, Saratoga County, who was camping with her family at Moreau Lake State Park. She was riding her bike around the park when she disappeared on Saturday evening. Charlotte is the middle child of three girls, and her parents are David Sena, a union pipe fitter, and Trisha, a food service inspector for Stewart’s Shops convenience stores.
What Happened to Charlotte Sena?
Charlotte was riding her bike in the park with friends when she decided to take another lap by herself. Her parents grew concerned when she didn’t return after 15 minutes. The girl’s mother called 911 after her bicycle was found around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday. Charlotte was last seen around 6:15 p.m.
How Was Charlotte Sena Found?
Police identified a fingerprint from a ransom note allegedly left by the suspect, Craig Nelson Ross Jr., aged 46. Troopers watching the family’s home saw a man drop a note in their mailbox at 4:20 a.m. on Monday. State police obtained fingerprints from the note, and one matched Ross, who was in a database due to a 1999 DWI case. Police located Ross at a property owned by his mother in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, and found Charlotte in a camper on the property.
Craig Nelson Ross Jr. Charged with Kidnapping
Craig Nelson Ross Jr., a resident of Ballston Spa, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, a felony. He was arraigned in Milton Town Court early Tuesday morning and is being held without bail, with additional charges pending.
The rescue marked the end of a two-day search that involved approximately 400 individuals, including forest rangers, police officers, and firefighters. The search had expanded over 46 linear miles.
Moreau Lake State Park had been closed during the search, and authorities had requested the public to stay away to allow professionals to conduct the search. Federal authorities also issued a temporary flight restriction over the park for the safety of law enforcement air operations.
Governor Hochul expressed relief that the outcome was positive and thanked all those involved in the search and rescue efforts.
