Charlotte Sena: Amber Alert issued for 4th grader snatched in 15-minute window during family camping trip
Update: Charlotte Sena has been found safe and "in good health" two days after she was reported missing. Officials announced on Monday, October 2 that a suspect involved in her disappearance has been taken into custody, according to New York Post.
MOREAU, NEW YORK: A frantic search is underway for the missing nine-year-old girl, Charlotte Sena, who was reportedly snatched away from her family at a campsite.
The fourth grader disappeared in what authorities believe to be a narrow 15-minute window after she went for a solo bike ride on Saturday, September 30 at 6.15 pm, reported Daily Mail.
Where did Charlotte Sena go missing from?
Sena was enjoying a camping trip with her family and friends in upstate New York before she went missing while cycling alone on Loop A of the campsite located in New York's Moreau Lake State Park.
***AMBER ALERT UPDATED DESCRIPTION*** PLEASE SHARE! NYSP has activated AMBER Alert for a child abduction that occurred near Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, NY at about 6:45 PM on 9/30/2023. Anyone with any information should call the NYSP at (518) 457-6811 or dial 911. pic.twitter.com/vE6YGbdDP9
— NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) October 1, 2023
The young girl had been cycling with her friends but decided to take one last solo ride.
Sena's family realized she was missing by 6.30 pm and at 6.37 pm, police received an alert and at 6.45, her bike was found.
Police issued Amber Alert as they believe Charlotte Sena is in 'imminent danger'
On Sunday morning, law enforcement authorities issued an Amber Alert after a search was conducted by rangers and police.
The campsite was bustling with activities and no witnesses have reported seeing Sena being taken.
Currently, New York State Police are leading an investigation into Sena's missing and her disappearance is currently being treated as abduction.
However, it remains unclear whether there is any surveillance footage from the campsite that would shed light on how Sena was taken.
As of Monday morning, no description of a suspect or vehicle has been released by the police.
Charlotte Sena's aunt believes 'someone had to have seen something'
Talking about the nature of missing case, Sena's aunt Jene said, "In the park alone, someone had to have seen something. It was crowded, dinner time, a busy campsite, a 75-degree weekend day."
"I find it very hard to believe that someone didn't notice something," she said during an interview on 'DutyRon', a YouTube true crime podcast.
Jene posted a TikTok video on Sunday night in which she said, "There isn't information that we can tell at this time but if you can keep sharing her photo and praying really, that is the best that our family can ask of anyone tat this time. The police are doing their job."
"If you know anything at all, police contact the New York State Police. Any information would help," Jene said.
Speaking to The Albany Times Union, Sena's mother Trish said that her daughter is a 'trusting' child. "I just want my daughter back," she added.