New York Man Faces Additional Charges in Kidnapping Case
New York investigators have announced that additional charges are expected to be filed against Craig Nelson Ross Jr., the man accused of kidnapping 9-year-old Charlotte Sena. The charges come as authorities dive deeper into the timeline of events surrounding Charlotte’s disappearance and subsequent rescue on Monday evening.
Ross, 46, was arrested and charged with kidnapping after allegedly abducting Charlotte from a New York state park over the weekend and attempting to ransom her for money. Court documents reveal the details of his alleged crimes.
Charlotte, who had been reported missing during a family camping trip, was discovered hidden in a cabinet of a camper, where Ross was located and apprehended. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the young girl was returned to her parents “in good health.”
According to sources, Ross inadvertently played a significant role in assisting investigators in their case. In a desperate attempt to extort money, he slid a ransom note into the Sena family’s mailbox, unknowingly leaving behind fingerprints that ultimately led to his identification as a suspect.
Despite the successful rescue and arrest, authorities are not yet done with their investigation. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is now requesting video footage from the hour after Charlotte was last seen in Moreau Lake State Park. They are particularly interested in videos that capture the routes leading from the park to the residence where Ross was discovered with the young girl.
The property where Charlotte was found is registered to Ross’ mother and is located approximately 30 minutes south of the park, as determined by a CNN analysis of property records.
Both Charlotte and Ross have yet to be formally interviewed. The young girl will be questioned by specially trained forensic experts, while Ross, who invoked his right to counsel, remains in custody.
Ross is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, and CNN has sought comment from his defense attorney.
The Sena family expressed their joy in having Charlotte back home, acknowledging that such a positive outcome is not always the case for missing children. They also thanked the hundreds of search and rescue personnel, as well as federal, state, and local agencies involved in the search efforts.
The case unfolded when Charlotte was last seen riding her bike in Moreau Lake State Park on Saturday evening. Her family reported her missing when they discovered her abandoned bike along a park path. A large-scale search involving multiple agencies, including the FBI and state police, was launched immediately.
Hours after Charlotte’s disappearance, Ross drove past her house and left a ransom note in the family’s mailbox, according to Governor Hochul. State police discovered key fingerprints on the note, which led to Ross’ identification as the suspect.
Law enforcement personnel executed searches on multiple properties connected to Ross before focusing their efforts on a camper located behind his mother’s mobile home in Ballston Spa, New York. SWAT teams descended on the residence, and Ross was apprehended. Charlotte was found safe inside a cabinet shortly after, and she was reunited with her parents at a hospital.
As the investigation continues, authorities aim to gather more evidence to ensure justice is served in the case of Charlotte Sena’s kidnapping.