New York, USA - Investigators in New York are expecting to bring forth additional charges against Craig Nelson Ross Jr., 46, who stands accused of abducting 9-year-old Charlotte Sena. The case is currently under scrutiny, focusing on the timeline of events that unfolded from her sudden disappearance to her subsequent rescue on Monday evening.
Court documents reveal that Ross was apprehended and charged with kidnapping Charlotte after allegedly abducting her from a state park in New York over the weekend, attempting to extort a ransom.
Charlotte, who was reported missing during a family camping excursion on Saturday, was discovered concealed in a camper where Ross was apprehended. Governor Kathy Hochul announced her return to her parents in good health.
Ross inadvertently provided investigators with a significant lead in the case when he placed a ransom note in the Sena family's mailbox early Monday, leaving behind crucial fingerprints that identified him as a suspect.
However, the investigation is still ongoing.
Authorities are in the process of acquiring video footage from the hour after Charlotte was last seen in Moreau Lake State Park. They are particularly interested in videos capturing the roads leading from the park to the residence where Ross was found with the girl on Monday, as stated by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, which has jurisdiction over the area.
A CNN analysis of property records indicates that the property where the girl was discovered, registered to Ross’ mother, is approximately a 30-minute drive south of the park.
Sources briefed on the investigation revealed that police have delayed immediate questioning of Charlotte. She will eventually be interviewed by specially trained forensic experts adept at questioning young victims and witnesses.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the suspect had not been formally interviewed, as he invoked his right to counsel after his arrest, according to sources.
Ross has been remanded into custody in Saratoga County without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, according to court documents.
The Sena family expressed their relief and gratitude for Charlotte's safe return after enduring two anguishing days without any sign of her. They thanked the numerous search and rescue personnel, as well as federal, state, and local agencies that worked tirelessly to locate her.
Charlotte was last seen riding her bike in Moreau Lake State Park around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday. Her disappearance prompted an extensive around-the-clock search involving numerous agencies, including the FBI.
Governor Hochul emphasized the collaborative efforts of investigators, who used cell phone tower data and park records to narrow down potential suspects. Less than 36 hours after Charlotte went missing, a pivotal lead emerged when Ross delivered a ransom note to her parents' mailbox.
Fingerprints from the note led to a match for Ross, who had been fingerprinted in 1999 for a prior offense. Tactical teams eventually converged on a camper behind the suspect's mother's mobile home, leading to Ross's arrest and Charlotte's safe recovery.
The young girl was soon reunited with her parents at a hospital, bringing an end to the harrowing ordeal.