Desperate search for girl, 9, abducted from park in 'danger of serious harm'

01 October 2023 , 18:52

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Desperate search for girl, 9, abducted from park in 'danger of serious harm'

Over 100 people have joined the search for a missing nine-year-old girl believed to have been snatched from a park in Upstate New York.

Police say Charlotte Sena is feared to be in "imminent danger of serious harm and/or death". The girl was last seen at Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County at approximately 6.15pm on Saturday, wearing an orange tie-dye Pokémon shirt, dark blue pants, black Crocs and a grey bike helmet, New York State Police say.

According to information provided by the police, she is 4'6" tall, 90 pounds, has blonde hair and green eyes. Police scoured the area for 18 hours and an Amber Alert was launched shortly after 9.30am local time, noting it was "for a child abduction" that occurred around 6.45pm the night before. It states: "The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death."

Follow live updates on the search on themirror.com

Charlotte Sena has been snatched from a park in New York

Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'

New York State Police Lieutenant Colonel Richard Mazzone said his crews had carried out a vast search of the park lasting 18 hours, and they believe the child is no longer there. But he said they will continue to search the area and an aquatic search team is scouring the nearby waterways.

He added: "We continue to dedicate all the resources that we can to find Charlotte and bring her home safe."

A search has been launched for the missing girl

New York Governor Kathy Hochul promised "no stone" would be left unturned in the search for Charlotte. She told a briefing on Sunday: "Hearts are broken today here in New York. Hopefully, there will be a reunion, hopefully, there will be a family that has been traumatised but reunited." She added: "We will leave no stone, no branch, no table, no cabin unturned, untouched, unexamined in our search for Charlotte Sena."

Charlotte, who was on a camping trip with her family just 15 minutes from where the girl and her sisters were raised, disappeared after going for a bike ride in the park, according to the Times Union. Reports say she had been biking around Loop A of the park with family friends and said she wanted to do one more loop by herself.

This photo shows exactly what Charlotte was wearing when she went missing (New York State Police)

She is 5'1" tall, 90 pounds and has blonde hair (Courtesy)

But when she did not return 15 minutes later, her parents and nearby campers started looking for her. The girl's bike was found on the loop at 6.45pm and two minutes later her mum called 911 to report her missing. State police arrived at the scene by 7pm.

Since then, over 100 personnel and 75 law enforcement officials have been searching for the fourth grader, a resident of nearby Greenfield. Drones, dogs, two boats and six underwater rescue teams are also involved in the search, according to Governor Hochul.

The girl went missing during a camping trip with her family

The police fear Charlotte is at risk of serious harm

Talking about the moment the girl was missing, Governor Hochul said: "Last evening, she went out on a bike ride; it wasn’t dark, right around dinnertime, and did a couple of loops with close friends she considers her cousins. And then she decided after going around True Bay, she said she just wanted to go around one more time by herself – be that big girl, do it by herself. Literally 15 minutes later, she hadn't come back yet. And that's really when the nightmare begins."

More than 100 people are involved in the search for Charlotte

She added that Charlotte's parents are "distraught", and promised that officials would do all they can to find the girl. The governor said: "As a mother and as a grandmother, I cannot imagine the pain they're going through." She added: "They shared with me how joyful their little girl is, a fourth grader just recently elected to be a class officer for student council."

Ms Hochul said the family was hoping "to make memories" on their day out, but it eventually turned into a "nightmare". She told a briefing: "The family was here to make memories, the kind that would last a lifetime. Instead, it turned into every parent’s nightmare."

Map of lake where Charlotte Sena went missing (Friends of Moreau Lake State Park)

State Police Troop G Public Information Officer Stephanie O'Neil said: "She is a highly intelligent, adventurous 9-year-old – but obviously this is out of character for her." The police said the search was extended to nearby waterways too, and officers think Charlotte is no longer in the park.

Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog

Anyone with information about this reported abduction is asked to contact State Police Wilton BCI at 518-477-9333 or 518-457-6811. People may email [email protected]. Police said people can also dial 911 to provide information on a report or sighting of Charlotte Sena. State Police noted not to leave tips on Facebook.

Chiara Fiorillo