Man Accused of Kidnapping 9-Year-Old Girl in Saratoga Springs
In a startling turn of events, a 46-year-old New York man named Craig Ross Jr. has been arraigned on first-degree kidnapping charges. He stands accused of abducting a 9-year-old girl from a bicycle trail at a state park near Lake George. This incident unfolded around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, as per jail records.
Governor Kathy Hochul disclosed during a late-night news briefing that the suspect came to the authorities’ attention due to his fingerprints on a ransom note. State police reportedly witnessed him placing the note into Charlotte Sena’s mailbox at approximately 4:20 a.m. on Monday.
The records from the jail indicate that Ross was brought into custody at the Saratoga County Jail in Ballston Spa, New York, at around 3:40 a.m. Unfortunately, a mugshot of the accused was not immediately available.
State and federal tactical teams sprang into action on Monday evening, raiding a camper situated behind his mother’s double-wide trailer in Milton, just outside Saratoga Springs.
Rescue Operation and Reunion
Governor Hochul provided an update during a news briefing in Latham. She shared, “Within the camper, they located the suspect. After some resistance, the suspect was taken into custody, and immediately the little girl was found in a cabinet, covered. She was rescued.”
Following her rescue, Charlotte was taken to a local hospital, where she was joyously reunited with her family.
At the time of the governor’s statement, Ross was still under questioning, and court documents were not yet accessible as it was before business hours on Tuesday.
Rejoicing in the Safe Return
“We are just elated she came home,” expressed Jene Sena, Charlotte’s aunt, during an interview with Fox News Digital on Monday evening after the arrest.
This remarkable development brings an end to a harrowing ordeal that unfolded in the serene vicinity of Moreau Lake State Park. We’ll continue to monitor this story for further updates.