Girl, 9, found alive in camper van cabinet after being kidnapped while riding her bike
Swat teams rescued Charlotte from her captor
New York State Police
A nine-year-old girl has been found alive after being kidnapped while riding her bike on a family holiday.
Charlotte Sena was rescued from her captor’s clutches after being snatched from Moreau Lake State Park in upstate New York on Saturday.
Swat teams descended on the suspect’s residence, a camper van at his mother’s property on Barrett Road in Milton, New York, where they were able to rescue Charlotte.
Craig Ross Jr, was arrested at the scene and is being questioned by authorities but is yet to be charged.
Sena was found in a camper van caravan (stock)
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No mugshot has yet been released and police have said there is no indication Ross knew the family before the kidnapping.
Sena was found in “good health” according to authorities and was found covered up and hidden in a cabinet on Monday afternoon.
Two Swat teams, both federal and state, rushed to the scene in helicopters. Authorities confirmed Ross put up a struggle.
According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Sena immediately knew she was being rescued.
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Speaking at a press conference, Hochul explained how Ross Jr delivered a ransom note to Sena’s parents’ home at 4.20am on Monday.
She said his DNA and fingerprints were recovered from the letter.
Investigators were able to find a DNA match in their police database and linked the fingerprints to an arrest made back in 1999.
Police then ambushed Ross Jr's campervan and arrested him.
Sena was rescued from Moreau Lake State Park
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Cops have confirmed that Ross Jr is not on the registered sex offenders list.
Investigators are pursuing the theory that Sena was pulled into the vehicle or dragged into the woods
The girl was found about 13 miles south of her family home.
The search - which spanned 46 miles and included 400 search personnel and dozens of cops - ended over the weekend on October 2.
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