The disappearance of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena has ended in a heartwarming rescue, thanks to the discovery of fingerprints on the ransom note.
The young girl had gone missing while riding her bicycle in New York state, sparking a massive 48-hour search operation that engaged hundreds of people.
A glimmer of hope emerged when a ransom note was delivered to the Sena family’s home, containing crucial fingerprints that ultimately led to the breakthrough in the case. These prints were identified through a police database, linked to a drink-driving incident dating back to 1999.
The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Craig Nelson Ross Jr., was located at a property owned by his mother and subsequently apprehended.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, addressing a news conference on Monday night, revealed the heartening details of Charlotte’s rescue.
She stated, “After some resistance, the suspect was taken into custody, and immediately, the little girl was found in a cabinet. She knew she was being rescued. She knew that she was in safe hands. What happened was extraordinary.”
While Craig Nelson Ross Jr. is currently under questioning, the investigation remains active, according to the police.
The harrowing ordeal began when Charlotte Sena disappeared during a family camping trip in a wooded area of Moreau Lake State Park, located about 45 miles (72 km) north of Albany.
Governor Hochul described it as “every parent’s worst nightmare” and acknowledged receiving anxious calls from concerned individuals nationwide during the search.
After Charlotte’s disappearance, a ransom note was delivered to the family home in the early hours of Monday. Vigilant police officers collected the note, which ultimately led to the identification of the suspect through fingerprints. Mobile phone data and park visitor records further aided the investigation.
Thankfully, Charlotte Sena was found “safe and in good health,” though she was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Experts suggest she may have endured immense trauma during her ordeal.
The search operation was a collaborative effort, involving 400 searches and rescue personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, along with volunteer fire departments and private groups. An amber alert was issued, urging the public’s assistance in locating the “bright and adventurous girl who loves to be outside.”
Charlotte’s aunt took to TikTok to appeal for information, while a family acquaintance expressed shock and relief, describing the Sena family as “wonderful, wonderful people.”
The search spanned nearly 50 miles (80 km), leading to road checkpoints and searches by state troopers, and the FBI played a crucial role in the case, as highlighted by Governor Hochul. L