Charlotte Sena, a nine-year-old girl, was found and reached her family safely after harrowing 48 hours of intense search operations.
More than 400 people volunteered for the search party, while helicopters and drones were deployed to cover the perimeters of the Moreau Lake State Park in New York.
Here’s a quick rundown of what happened on the day of Charlotte’s disappearance–
- Charlotte Sena and her family went camping in the state park on the weekend of September 30.
- At around 6:15 p.m., she went to ride her bike with a few of her close friends, circling the loops in the park. But for the last loop, Charlotte went alone. [Note: Circling one loop takes only five minutes].
- That was the last time Charlotte was seen. The family reported her missing at 6:45 p.m. when she did not return for dinner. Police found her bike a few miles away from the campsite.
- The police struck a major lead to the case after 48 hours when they found a ransom note at the family’s home at 4:20 a.m. on Monday, October 1.
- After running the DNA found on the note through their database, the investigators narrowed the suspect to 47-year-old Craig Nelson Ross Jr.
- Charlotte was found hidden in the cabinet behind the camper. The camper was set behind Craig’s mother’s house, about an hour from the campsite.
- Police have apprehended the suspect, and he is taken for interrogation.
Read more on how the police cracked the case with one letter.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul disclosed all available details on the case at a press conference and lauded the New York Police State Department for their commendable and prompt investigation.
The suspect in Charlotte Sena’s abduction was concluded to be Craig Nelson Ross Jr. The 47-year-old mailman was apprehended by the police in the camper behind his mother’s house in Ballston Spa, where he resisted his arrest briefly but was finally taken into custody after sustaining minor injuries. He is charged with first-degree kidnapping after his DNA matched the fingerprints on the ransom note. Craig was previously in the database in 1999 for DWI.
Who Kidnapped Charlotte Sena?
On the wee hours of October 1, 2023, almost two days after Charlotte was kidnapped, an unidentified man was seen pulling over his car in front of Charlotte’s home at 4:20 a.m. He believed that no one was at home at the moment. But two officers were deployed at their home while the parents were at the campsite searching for their daughter.
The perpetrator dropped a letter in the mailbox and left shortly after. Police found the letter, which was actually a ransom note. Thanks to the blithering stupidity of the suspect, the investigators got hold of a DNA sample. They ran it through the database but found no luck at first.
With the stroke of a second luck, they hit a jackpot, dating back to 1999. A man was arrested for drinking while intoxicated in Saratoga Springs. The DNA database from that case matched the fingerprints left on the ransom note.
The man was identified as Craig Nelson Ross Jr. after verifying his identity. The police also analyzed his phone records. The investigation is still in progress as Craig is under custody in Saratoga County jail, and the final confirmation is yet to be determined.
Who Is Craig Nelson Ross Jr?
WNYT Channel 13 reported that the 47-year-old suspect, Craig Nelson Ross Jr., works as a mailman. He was previously arrested in 1999 for drinking and driving.
But a few reports also suggest that Craig is a registered sex offender and is allegedly also a pedophile. (However, these reports are not verified yet).
In a more unnerving update, Craig’s older brother, Charles Ross, appeared in court on September 29 for allegedly stalking girls and taking their pictures without consent. (P.S.: The next day, Craig abducted Charlotte).
Where Was 9-Year-Old Charlotte Found?
Craig Ross’s mother, Joan’s house, is located 17 miles from Moreau Lake State Park in Ballston Spa. Police tracked down his house based on the records of the people who visited the park that day.
The investigators found Charlottle in a cabinet in the trailer set in the backyard. Although the little girl was found in good health, she was immediately taken to the hospital for a preliminary checkup. She safely reunited with her family the same day.
Even with several unanswered questions, the police have refrained from disclosing any further information to respect Charlotte’s privacy.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think Craig is involved in other heinous crimes? Let us know in the comments section below.
