02 October 2023 , 23:03
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Charlotte Sena was sensationally found alive by cops after she was abducted during a camping trip in Upstate New York - after fingerprints on a ransom note helped lead to an arrest.
The incredible case was solved after a suspect, identified by officials as Craig Ross Jr, 47, left the note demanding cash for her return at Charlotte's parents' house at 4.20am this morning - which was being watched by police.
Meanwhile, her parents were at the campsite where she disappeared. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said it is not known at this time whether he knew the family.
READ MORE:House of horrors where kidnapper held Charlotte Sena, 9, before SWAT team found her
Officials traced a second fingerprint on the note back to Ross Jr, from when he was arrested in 1999 - and raided his trailer situated behind his mother's house, today where they allegedly found Charlotte hidden in a cabinet.
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Governor Hochul said Ross Jr "resisted" arrest before he was taken in custody - and they found the nine-year-old hidden away.
Describing the emotional moment, Hochul said at a press conference last night: “She knew that she was being rescued. She knew that she was in safe hands.”
Over 100 people were involved in the search for Charlotte
Charlotte Sena in the clothes she was wearing when she went missing (New York State Police)Charlotte was transported to hospital after the rescue and her parents were notified she was safe at 6.32pm on Monday night. Describing her condition, Hochul said: “They are united. She is in good hands. She appeared to be outwardly, physically unharmed at the time.”
A home registered to Ross is located just two miles from where Charlotte lived.
The nine-year-old was last seen at Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County at approximately 6.15pm on Saturday. Her mum called 911 when her bike was found on Loop A at around 6.45pm, but the girl was not there.
The camper where Charlotte Ross was allegedly found — though the address has yet to be officially confirmed (Google Maps)
The front view of the property where Charlotte was found, pictured in 2014 (Google Maps)The New York State Police released a statement on Monday evening detailing the discovery of the suspect. "Through the course of the investigation, State Police identified an individual as being in the area of the Moreau Lake State Park around the time Charlotte went missing. Further investigation led to the search of multiple residences where the individual is known to reside."
"Upon the search of those residences, at approximately 6:32 p.m. on October 2, 2023, State Police located Charlotte Sena safe and in good health. The suspect was taken into custody," the statement continues. "This investigation is a culmination of multiple agencies working together for the common goal of bringing this child home to her loving family."
The Sena family poses for a portrait with Charlotte on the right (Facebook)New York State police rushed to the park and started searching for the girl, with over 100 personnel and 75 law enforcement officials involved. Drones, dogs, two boats and six underwater rescue teams also joined the search. Police scoured the area for 18 hours and an Amber Alert was launched shortly after 9.30am local time on Sunday, noting it was "for a child abduction" that occurred around 6.45pm the night before.
Charlotte's family gathers after she was found alive and wellIt stated: "The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death." New York Governor Kathy Hochul promised "no stone" would be left unturned in the search for Charlotte.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
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."
The authorities scour the area where Charlotte went missing. Their search efforts proved successful after two days (NBC)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."
Heartbreaking videos released hours before her discovery showed the girl having fun with her family before she decided that she wanted to "be a big girl" and try riding around Loop A alone.
A video shows Charlotte opening a present on the floor mere hours before her disappearance (Sena Family)
A video shows Charlotte having fun in the car with her family before her disappearance (Sena Family)She can be seen laughing with her family and telling jokes. In one video, she can be heard saying: "Why was the car embarrassed? He had bad gas." A second video shows her sitting on the floor, opening a present.
The FBI joined the investigation into her disappearance on Monday, stating at the time that the situation was still "fluid." Law enforcement had already searched a 46-mile (74km) radius, with over 400 search and rescue workers joining the fray to find the missing girl. And their efforts paid off.