Title: 9-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Kidnapping Incident in Upstate New York
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SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. — A terrifying incident came to a hopeful end as authorities confirmed the safe recovery of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena, who went missing on Saturday evening at Moreau Lake State Park in Upstate New York. The suspect, identified as Craig Nelson Ross Jr., has been charged with kidnapping in connection with the case.
The disappearance of young Sena prompted an extensive two-day search involving 400 certified search and rescue personnel, including the FBI. The effort was met with an outpouring of support from the community, with numerous agencies, friends, neighbors, and volunteers working tirelessly to bring her home.
In a late-night press conference, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed relief and gratitude over the outcome, stating, “Our prayers have been answered.” She commended the cooperation of law enforcement agencies and the dedication of all those involved in the search.
The breakthrough in the case came when authorities discovered Ross had inadvertently left his fingerprints on the ransom note he had left for Sena’s family. Previously arrested in a 1999 DWI case in Saratoga, his fingerprints were readily available in the police database. SWAT teams swiftly descended on his mother’s property, where they found the young girl unharmed in a cabinet inside a camper parked at the back of the property.
Members of the search team expressed their elation at the successful recovery of Sena. One participant stated, “Excited. We came together, opened the doors to pray, and we’re seeing a miracle.” Another added, “Happy. I can’t imagine what the family is thinking and feeling right now. Especially being local, we live right here in this neighborhood, and we’re all just breathing a sigh of relief not just for them and their children but for all the children in the neighborhood. We feel safe again.”
Ross, Jr. has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, with additional charges expected to be filed by state police as the investigation progresses.
The family of Charlotte Sena released a statement expressing their gratitude for her safe return and acknowledging the support they received during the ordeal: “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, community, neighbors, and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring Charlotte home.”
As the community recovers from this traumatic event, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and embracing a sense of unity in the face of adversity.