The suspect accused of kidnapping a nine-year-old girl from an upstate New York campground has been charged with first-degree kidnapping.
Craig Ross Jr., 47, was arraigned on a charge of first-degree kidnapping early this morning in Wilton Municipal Court and is being held without bail, according to the Union of times.
His DNA was found on a ransom note left in Charlotte’s parents’ mailbox around 4 a.m. Monday morning.
Police had a record of his fingerprints from a previous arrest for drunk driving in 1999.
Charlotte Sena, 9 years old, disappeared from her family vacation while riding her bike at Moreau Lake State Park on Saturday. She was rescued two days later and found in a cupboard in her captor’s trailer.
Charlotte Sena was found “alive and well” Monday – two days after she was kidnapped from Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. She was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital after being found.
The suspect’s RV, seen below left, is next to his mother’s house in Milton, New York.
Two SWAT teams – one state and one federal – raided the property by helicopter, with Ross said to have put up a fight.
No photos have been released and there is no indication that Ross knew his victim’s family.
Ross Jr. went to Sena’s parents’ home at 4:20 a.m. Monday and left a ransom note in their mailbox that was covered in his DNA and fingerprints.
On Monday at 2:30 p.m., investigators finally found a match in the database and linked the fingerprints to a DWI arrest made in Saratoga County in 1999. From there, they dove on Ross Jr.’s RV , arrested him and found the missing girl.
Cops confirmed Ross Jr was not a registered sex offender, but did not reveal a motive. Previous reports suggested the arrested suspect was a 51-year-old local pedophile whose name was not revealed, although this was corrected when the true identity of the alleged kidnapper was revealed.
Charlotte (far right) when she was younger with her mother Trisha, father David and sisters
Charlotte Sena was last seen cycling around Loop A in Moreau Lake State Park in upstate New York near Saratoga Springs.
Charlotte was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital after being found. She is said to be in good physical health.
Investigators are reportedly focusing on the theory that Charlotte was pulled into a vehicle against her will or dragged into the woods.
Police said shortly after 7 p.m., “Charlotte has been found safe and sound.”
New York State Police were previously convinced that Charlotte was abducted from Moreau Lake State Park. She was last seen Saturday evening wearing a tie-dye Pokémon shirt, dark blue pants, black crocs and a gray bike helmet.
The girl was found about 13 miles south of the family home.
The multi-agency search – which spanned 46 miles and included 400 search personnel and dozens of federal, state and local agencies on the ground – concluded today.
Charlotte was cycling alone on Loop A at Moreau Lake State Park in New York, near Saratoga Springs, when she disappeared at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
She had been playing with friends all day but decided to ride her bike alone, one last time, before sunset.
It should have only taken a few minutes to complete the small loop. At 6:30 p.m., her parents realize that she has not returned and are worried. At 6:47 p.m., they found Charlotte’s bike on the loop and called 911.
A frantic search was launched for the child, for which an Amber Alert was issued Sunday morning after rangers searched the 6,250-acre park and found no sign of her.
Charlotte’s relieved family held impromptu press conference and thanked people for their help
Police found little Charlotte covered and hidden in a wardrobe on Monday.
There are 158 campsites in the park. Loop A is in the southwest corner of the park and is directly adjacent to US Highway 9, which runs from Philadelphia to Canada.
New York Governor Hochul said Monday evening: “We are delighted to learn that Charlotte Sena was found safely this evening after an intense days of searching.
“Our thoughts are with his family as they welcome him home.
“Thank you to the New York State Police, New York Park Police and everyone who worked tirelessly to find Charlotte.
“It is thanks to their efforts that Charlotte will be able to return home safely to her family.”
