Charlotte Sena: Fourth grader's family expresses gratitude, says 'they are 'thrilled she is safe home'
MOREAU, NEW YORK: The missing case of Charlotte Sena, who was found alive two days after she disappeared, grabbed the nation's attention after police suspected abduction.
The young girl's family has now released a statement expressing their gratitude to first responders for their child's safe return.
"We are thrilled that she is home and we understand that the outcome is not what every family gets," read the family's statement issued on Tuesday, October 3, according to People.
"A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State police, all of the agencies that were mobilized, all of the families, friends, community, neighbors, and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring Charlotte home," said Sena's family.
Charlotte Sena’s family celebrating her being found ALIVE after 48 hours!!! #missing #MoreauLakeStatePark @nyspolice @NBCNightlyNews @TODAYshow pic.twitter.com/QRfRRAmXRn
— Kristen Dahlgren (@kristendahlgren) October 2, 2023
What happened to Charlotte Sena?
The nine-year-old went missing after she was on a solo bike ride on Saturday, September 30, near Moreau Lake State Park located in Saratoga County, New York.
She was on a camping trip with her family and friends on the days of her missing. 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.
A day later, New York State Police put out an Amber Alert as they feared she was in "imminent danger."
The young girl was found safe and "in good health" on Monday, two days after she was reported missing.
Who kidnapped Charlotte Sena?
According to the New York State Police, a 47-year-old man named Craig Nelson Ross Jr was arrested on Monday evening in connection to Sena's missing case. He was charged with first-degree kidnapping, New York State Police said.
In a Monday press conference, Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the breakthrough in the missing case came after the suspect's fingerprints, stemming from a DWI in 1991 matched a print discovered on a ransom note left at Sena's home.
However, it remains unclear whether the suspect has entered a plea or retained any legal representation.
The match in fingerprints led investigators to Ross' mother's residence where he was discovered in a camper parked at the rear of the property on Sunday evening.
"After some resistance, the suspect was taken into custody and immediately the little girl was found in a cabinet, covered and she was rescued. She knew that she was being rescued. She knew that she was in safe hands," said Hochul.
Speaking to People, Sena's aunt Jene said that those social media users who used the nine-year-old's picture as their profile picture should now change it to an orange heart that says "Welcome Home Charlotte!"