Charlotte Sena, the 9-year-old girl who went missing in New York, was found rather quickly thanks to the work of local authorities.
According to Fox News, the man accused of taking her, 46-year-old Craig Ross Jr., was arrested on first-degree kidnapping charges in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
Ross was reportedly booked into the Saratoga County Jail in Ballston Spa, New York.
They got him. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Craig Ross knew who the parents of Charlotte Sena were because he is a former next door neighbor. I have a feeling she trusted him enough for at least a conversation. pic.twitter.com/qjDtllylDy— Rose (@901Lulu) October 3, 2023
In a felony complaint, state police summarized what had happened to Sena and how she was ultimately found, which involved identifying fingerprints on a ransom letter Ross was seen dropping in her family's mailbox.
"The defendant did abduct [the victim] and wrote a ransom letter with the intent to compel the payment of a ransom for her," the felony complaint read.
BREAKING: Mug shot released of Craig Ross, arrested for the kidnapping of Charlotte Sena, age 9, at a New York state park
She went off to ride her bike while camping and her bike was later found by parents
Charlotte was found locked in a cabinet in his camper pic.twitter.com/0Ps5ZBDjBk
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 3, 2023
Sena's disappearance quickly became high-profile, drawing Gov. Kathy Hochul's attention. The governor released a number of statements during the search for Sena.
"Within the camper, they located the suspect," Hochul said during a Friday evening news briefing. "After some resistance, the suspect was taken into custody, and immediately the little girl was found in a cabinet, covered. She was rescued."
Thankfully, the girl was discovered unharmed, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Her family was beyond thrilled to have her back home.
"We are just elated she came home," Jene Sena, Charlotte's aunt told Fox News.
According to Times Union, Ross' arrest was quite the scene:
Officers, some arriving in tactical vehicles, swarmed a property on Barrett Road at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, detonated flash grenades, and ordered 46-year-old Craig N. Ross Jr. to the ground.
The outlet added:
Police evidence technicians in protective suits spent Tuesday combing for clues at the Barrett Road property and the camping trailer where Ross was captured. Ross allegedly held the girl for ransom, making his demand for money in a note he left early Monday at her parents' home in Greenfield, court records show.
Law enforcement on the case were praised for their quick and steady actions to bring the little girl back home.
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