A 9-year-old girl kidnapped from a New York park last weekend was found safe in the closet of an RV camper belonging to the suspect, who was arrested after leaving a ransom at the child’s home.
Charlotte Sena was rescued from the home of kidnapper Craig Nelson Ross Jr., 47, ending an ordeal that began Saturday when he was taken from Lake Moreau State Park in Saratoga County, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday night.
“Charlotte is going home,” Hochul said, sounding relieved by the “necessary” development.
The breakthrough in the case occurred early Monday morning when Ross reportedly dropped a ransom note containing fingerprints in the Sena family’s mailbox.
Investigators entered the prints into their database and they matched those of Ross Jr., who was arrested in Saratoga in 1999 on a DWI charge, according to Hochul.
“He literally drove to the family’s mailbox, assuming they weren’t home [at] 4:20 a.m., opened the mailbox and inserted a ransom note leaving critical evidence — his own fingerprints,” Hochul said at a news conference Monday night.
Charlotte Sena disappeared while riding her bike while camping at Moreau Lake State Park in New York. NY Post illustration
Two law enforcement teams in a helicopter then descended on the Ballston Spa address where the suspect had pitched his tent behind his mother’s house and arrested him “after some resistance” at about 6:30 p.m. Hochul said. The charges against him are pending.
“Immediately the little girl was found in the cabinet closet,” the governor said. “He was saved and he knew he was being saved. He knows that he is in safe hands.”
The girl’s parents were informed that she was rescued and appeared to be “physically unharmed.”
Law enforcement searching property and forest near Lake Moreau State Park.Angus MordantGov. Kathy Hochul gives an update on missing 9-year-old Charlotte Sena.Angus Mordant
Charlotte was taken to a local hospital as usual, Hochul said.
It’s unclear whether Ross allegedly targeted Charlotte specifically or randomly followed her when she was alone for several minutes while riding her bike through Moreau Lake State Park on Saturday where she was camping with her family.
The suspect lives just two miles from the child’s home, according to the address listed on his vehicle registration, the governor said.
Charlotte Sena was rescued from the home of suspect Craig Nelson Ross Jr.Jene Sena
“But it is not known at this time, whether he knew her or was under surveillance for any length of time,” he added.
Hochul said he had met Charlotte’s heartbroken parents, David and Trisha, before the girl was rescued.
“I said to them, I promise you this: We will bring Charlotte home to you,” he said. “And as each hour passes, hope fades. Because we all know the story. The first 24 hours there is hope once you get to 48 hours hope starts to diminish.”
Police blocked off a road near where a suspect was arrested for kidnapping 9-year-old Charlotte Sena. Angus Mordant
“What happened next was incredible,” Hochul said of the breakthrough in the case Monday morning.
When her family first looked for Charlotte, they found only her bike on a trail in the park.
Police then mobilized a 400-person search team consisting of state troopers, special ops, forest rangers, park police and civilian volunteers who gathered at the scene.
“It was kind of exciting because we all feared the worst, but I promised Trish and Dave that they would be reunited with Charlotte again and she would see her two sisters,” Hochul said.
“We will continue to keep this family in our prayers as they recover. But he will come home,” he added. “That’s the story. Charlotte is coming home.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
