9-year-old missing child found safe in suspect’s camper at NY campground.
A 9-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Being Abducted from a New York Park
In a thrilling turn of events, a missing 9-year-old girl named Charlotte Sena has been rescued from the clutches of her abductor. The shocking discovery was made when authorities found her hidden inside a cabinet in the suspect’s camper.
The suspect, 47-year-old Craig Nelson Ross Jr., was apprehended after leaving a ransom note at Sena’s home. He now faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, according to the New York Post.
A Desperate Search and a Miraculous Rescue
Sena was abducted from Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County, New York, sparking a massive search effort. An Amber Alert was issued, emphasizing the imminent danger she was in. Thankfully, on Monday evening, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Sena’s safe return.
“Sena will be going home,” Hochul declared, bringing relief to everyone involved.
Ross’s capture was a stroke of luck. Earlier that day, he had brazenly placed a ransom note in the Sena family’s mailbox, leaving behind a crucial piece of evidence—his own fingerprint. Law enforcement swiftly identified him as the prime suspect, thanks to a previous arrest in 1999 for DWI.
With this lead, two law enforcement teams wasted no time and used helicopters to reach Ross’s residence—a camper behind his mother’s house. After some resistance, Ross was finally apprehended.
A Miraculous Rescue and a Safe Return
During the arrest, authorities made a heartwarming discovery. Sena was found hidden in a cabinet cupboard, unharmed but undoubtedly relieved to be rescued. She knew she was in safe hands.
Following protocol, Sena was taken to a hospital for evaluation, although she appeared to be physically unharmed.
The motive behind the abduction remains unclear. It is uncertain whether Ross targeted Sena specifically or if it was a random act. Intriguingly, Ross lives just two miles away from Sena’s family, but Governor Hochul stated that it is currently unknown if he had any prior knowledge of the young girl.
A Terrifying Ordeal and a Community United
Sena’s ordeal began while she was camping with her family at Moreau Lake State Park. She had been riding her bike around Loop A, initially accompanied by family friends and later on her own. When she failed to return after 15 minutes, her parents and others began searching for her, only finding her abandoned bike. Concerned, they immediately contacted 911.
The search for Sena involved an impressive effort, with over 400 personnel and 75 law enforcement officials on the ground, including NY State Police K-9s and bloodhounds. The community rallied together, determined to bring Sena home safely.