Timeline of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena's Disappearance and Discovery of the Missing Girl

Suspect charged with kidnapping in the case of missing 9-year-old Charlotte Sena; girl found safe in New York.

Craig Nelson Ross Jr., the prime suspect in the case involving the disappearance of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena during a bike ride in Upstate New York, has officially been charged with kidnapping, according to law enforcement officials.

Authorities are currently working diligently to piece together the intricate details surrounding the alleged abduction, including a potential motive and any prior connections between Ross and the Sena family.

The incident occurred when Charlotte embarked on a bike ride with friends at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday in Moreau Lake State Park, located north of Albany. After taking one final loop alone, she failed to return, causing her parents to initiate a search around 6:30 p.m.

Concern escalated when her bicycle was discovered on a trail at approximately 6:45 p.m., prompting a 911 call. New York State Police swiftly arrived at the scene by 7 p.m., and an Amber Alert was issued on Sunday morning at around 9:30 a.m.

In the early hours of Monday, investigators obtained a lead that ultimately led them to 47-year-old Ross and the missing girl.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul revealed a crucial piece of evidence left behind by Ross during a press conference on Monday. She stated, "He audaciously drove up to the family's mailbox, assuming they were not home, at 4:20 in the morning. In a bold move, he opened the mailbox and inserted a ransom note, unknowingly leaving behind a critical piece of evidence — his own fingerprint."

Later that afternoon, around 2:30 p.m., investigators successfully matched a fingerprint from the note to Ross, whose prints were on file in the state's comprehensive database.

Authorities ultimately discovered Ross hiding in a camper situated behind his mother's residence in Milton, New York. Hochul confirmed that the young girl was found concealed in a cabinet cupboard on the premises.

"She displayed a sense of relief upon realizing she was being rescued and that she was in safe hands," Hochul expressed during the press conference.

The family of the young girl released a statement expressing their gratitude and relief, stating, "We are overjoyed that she has returned home safely, fully aware that not every family experiences such a positive outcome. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the FBI, the New York State Police, and all the agencies, families, friends, community members, neighbors, and countless volunteers who rallied together and tirelessly worked towards bringing Charlotte back home."

It has been revealed that Ross's vehicle was registered to a residence merely two miles away from the Sena family's home. He is currently being held without bail at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility, with authorities anticipating additional charges to be filed, as announced by the police on Tuesday.

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