Heroic Recovery: 9-Year-Old Charlotte Sena Rescued From Kidnappers Camper
Oct 04, 2023, 10:00 AM
In an electrifying revelation that brings to light the tireless efforts of the New York State Police and the resilience of a family, 9-year-old Charlotte Sena was found safe and sound after a harrowing 48-hour search. The young girl vanished from Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, N.Y., an event that prompted an all-out manhunt and an outpouring of community support.
Late on Monday, a statement from the New York State Police affirmed: “Charlotte Sena has been located and in good health." Governor Kathy Hochul, evidently relieved, expressed her gratitude to the authorities for their relentless search and to the larger community for their unwavering support, stating, "Extremely grateful to @nyspolice, @NYStateParks police, and all of our partners who worked tirelessly to locate Charlotte."
The recovery was no less than a feat of detective work. After the child's parents received a ransom note at their residence, it became clear that this was no ordinary missing child case. The note bore fingerprints that, fortuitously, were already in a law enforcement database. As Gov. Hochul explained, these prints were linked to a prior DWI case from 1999 in Saratoga, leading investigators on a trail that culminated at the home of Craig Nelson Ross Jr., a 47-year-old resident of the area.
What ensued was akin to scenes from a thriller. By 6:32 p.m. ET on Monday, law enforcement surrounded the suspect's camper, where Charlotte was finally discovered, concealed inside a cabinet. In a poignant recount, Gov. Hochul noted, “She knew that she was being rescued. She knew that she was in safe hands.”
Craig Nelson Ross Jr. is now in custody, charged with first-degree kidnapping, and investigators are probing deeper into the case. It's noteworthy that Ross Jr. lived merely two miles away from the Sena family, although it remains uncertain if he had been surveilling Charlotte or if the kidnapping was an act of random predation.
The initial days following Charlotte's disappearance were tense. After she went missing during her solo bike ride, her family and other campers frantically searched the vicinity, joined soon after by the state police. As Gov. Hochul recounted, “[Charlotte] did a couple of loops with close friends she considers her cousins and then she decided... to go around one more time by herself." But within a brief span, Charlotte vanished. Her abandoned bike was later found, but details about its discoverer remain unclear.
In the wake of this traumatic event, the Sena family has been thrust into the spotlight. While they've solicited privacy during this trying period, they did convey their heartfelt gratitude. A statement by Charlotte's family eloquently encapsulated their emotions, "A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State police... and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring Charlotte home."
Gov. Hochul, reflecting on the dramatic rescue, encapsulated the sentiments of many: “Often these stories don’t end up like this.” She then extended her gratitude to both local and federal law enforcement, emphasizing the significance of every passing moment in such cases.
Support has poured in from all quarters, including a GoFundMe page set up by Charlotte’s aunt to aid the Sena family in navigating the unforeseen challenges that lie ahead. The campaign's description reads poignantly, "... Any donations will go directly to her parents to help with any expenses while they transition back into some sense of normalcy."
As the story unfolds, it stands as a testament to the power of community, the efficacy of our law enforcement agencies, and the indomitable spirit of a family determined to find their child. Craig Nelson Ross Jr., now held without bail in Saratoga County Jail, awaits the next legal steps in this intense saga.
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Late on Monday, a statement from the New York State Police affirmed: “Charlotte Sena has been located and in good health." Governor Kathy Hochul, evidently relieved, expressed her gratitude to the authorities for their relentless search and to the larger community for their unwavering support, stating, "Extremely grateful to @nyspolice, @NYStateParks police, and all of our partners who worked tirelessly to locate Charlotte."
The recovery was no less than a feat of detective work. After the child's parents received a ransom note at their residence, it became clear that this was no ordinary missing child case. The note bore fingerprints that, fortuitously, were already in a law enforcement database. As Gov. Hochul explained, these prints were linked to a prior DWI case from 1999 in Saratoga, leading investigators on a trail that culminated at the home of Craig Nelson Ross Jr., a 47-year-old resident of the area.
What ensued was akin to scenes from a thriller. By 6:32 p.m. ET on Monday, law enforcement surrounded the suspect's camper, where Charlotte was finally discovered, concealed inside a cabinet. In a poignant recount, Gov. Hochul noted, “She knew that she was being rescued. She knew that she was in safe hands.”
Craig Nelson Ross Jr. is now in custody, charged with first-degree kidnapping, and investigators are probing deeper into the case. It's noteworthy that Ross Jr. lived merely two miles away from the Sena family, although it remains uncertain if he had been surveilling Charlotte or if the kidnapping was an act of random predation.
The initial days following Charlotte's disappearance were tense. After she went missing during her solo bike ride, her family and other campers frantically searched the vicinity, joined soon after by the state police. As Gov. Hochul recounted, “[Charlotte] did a couple of loops with close friends she considers her cousins and then she decided... to go around one more time by herself." But within a brief span, Charlotte vanished. Her abandoned bike was later found, but details about its discoverer remain unclear.
In the wake of this traumatic event, the Sena family has been thrust into the spotlight. While they've solicited privacy during this trying period, they did convey their heartfelt gratitude. A statement by Charlotte's family eloquently encapsulated their emotions, "A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State police... and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring Charlotte home."
Gov. Hochul, reflecting on the dramatic rescue, encapsulated the sentiments of many: “Often these stories don’t end up like this.” She then extended her gratitude to both local and federal law enforcement, emphasizing the significance of every passing moment in such cases.
Support has poured in from all quarters, including a GoFundMe page set up by Charlotte’s aunt to aid the Sena family in navigating the unforeseen challenges that lie ahead. The campaign's description reads poignantly, "... Any donations will go directly to her parents to help with any expenses while they transition back into some sense of normalcy."
As the story unfolds, it stands as a testament to the power of community, the efficacy of our law enforcement agencies, and the indomitable spirit of a family determined to find their child. Craig Nelson Ross Jr., now held without bail in Saratoga County Jail, awaits the next legal steps in this intense saga.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com