Thankfully for little Charlotte Sena, 9, and her parents, Charlotte was just found safe by law enforcement officers after she went missing on Saturday of this past weekend while on a camping trip with her parents in New York’s Moreau Lake State Park, a beautiful area in Saratoga County.
The New York State Police, announcing Charlotte’s recovery, said that she is in “good health” despite having been snatched while biking around the park. She had told her family and friends that she wanted to go biking on her own for one loop and did so, but then never returned.
The trail loop on which she disappeared was relatively small, so when she had not returned within a quarter of an hour, her parents and nearby campers proceeded to start looking for her and calling her name. Then, in a gut-wrenching moment, they found her bike on the loop, but she was nowhere to be seen, indicating that she had been taken.
Charlotte’s mother called 911 within minutes to report Charlotte missing and police arrived on the scene about a quarter of an hour later. The police then proceeded to investigate the matter for about two and a half hours before issuing an amber alert, telling locals what happened and to keep an eye out for the little girl.
“The New York State Police has activated the New York State AMBER ALERT and is investigating a child abduction that occurred near Moreau Lake State Park, Loop A, Site 18, in Gansevoort, NY at about 6:45 PM on 9/30/2023,” the Amber Alert began.
“The CHILD, Charlotte E. Sena is a White female, approximately 9 years 1 month old with long, blonde hair. She is approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, with green eyes, and weighs about 90 pounds. Charlotte was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black crocs, gray bike helmet,” it continued.
Ending, it added, “Anyone with any information on this abduction is asked to call the New York State Police at (518) 457-6811 or dial 911 to provide information on a report or sighting. DO NOT POST TIPS TO FACEBOOK!”
In a later update on the search, the New York State Police said, “The extensive search for Charlotte Sena continues. The search, which is being led by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, has expanded over 46 linear miles. At this time, approximately 400 certified search and rescue personnel are actively searching. The searchers originate from law enforcement agencies, 34 volunteer Fire Departments, along with private search and rescue groups. The New York State Police thanks all of those working to bring Charlotte home!”
The park area was closed while that huge collection of personnel searched, with Moreau Lake State Park announcing, “Attention. Moreau Lake State Park is closed until further notice. This includes hiking, camping, boating and all other activities. Be respectful of our current situation. Please do not come to the park. Thank you. For everyone asking what they can do to help: Please stay off the trails and away from Moreau. Leave all searching to the professionals. Please also send all love and light to the family as well as to the people searching.”
Then the searchers received a huge break when the kidnapper, identified as Craig Ross Jr., 47, left a ransom note at Charlotte’s family’s home. Using the fingerprints on the note, the law enforcement authorities were able to track down the abductor and Charlotte, who was recovered in good health. “There was a ransom note and that was instrumental in leading us directly to the suspect. His fingerprint was already in the database,” Gov. Hochul said.
In a statement on Charlotte’s rescue, Hochul added, “We are overjoyed at the news that Charlotte Sena has been located safely this evening after an intense days-long search. Our hearts are with her family as they welcome her home.”
Featured images credit: New York State Police
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