Man Charged with Abducting Girl Investigated for Unsolved Murders
A man accused of abducting a nine-year-old girl from a New York state campsite is now under investigation for possible links to two unsolved teenage girl murders that occurred nearly 20 years ago, according to law enforcement officials.
Craig Nelson Ross Jr. faces charges of first-degree kidnapping after authorities found Charlotte Sena safe and in good health in the town of Milton. She had gone missing while riding her bike at Moreau Lake State Park, located around 35 miles north of Albany.
When Charlotte didn’t return after 15 minutes, a search was initiated. Ross, aged 46, was identified through a fingerprint on a ransom note delivered to Charlotte’s family, while the police were monitoring their residence. This note was linked to information from a drink-drive incident in 1999.
Law enforcement is now probing any potential connections Ross may have to the kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old Jennifer Hammond in 2003 and 19-year-old Christina White, who vanished two years later. The remains of these young women were discovered in the remote Lake Desolation State Forest, approximately 10 miles north of Milton, where they were last seen.
Matthew Robinson, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Investigator, leading the investigation into these cold cases, stated, “At this time, we have no information to indicate that he [Ross] was or was not involved.”
Detectives will be examining any associations Ross may have with major cases in the area, describing it as a standard investigative procedure. Over 400 search and rescue personnel, along with police, conducted a widespread search for Charlotte, covering a 46-mile area. Canines, drones, boats, and six underwater rescue teams were deployed during the operation.
Following her rescue, Charlotte was thoroughly examined at a hospital and showed no signs of physical harm.