Live Updates in the Search for Charlotte Sena

New York State Police Photo

Terry O'Donnell

Monday, October 2nd, 2023 11:23am

Tuesday 11:12am: Forty-six year old Craig Ross has been arraigned on kidnapping charges and is currently being held at Saratoga County Jail. Police have released his mugshot: 

Monday 9:08pm: Police tell NewsChannel 13 the suspect's name is Craig Ross Jr.

Monday 8:51pm: Spectrum News says Charlotte was located after police identified a suspect from a partial finger print on a ransom note. Police searched several homes where the suspect was known to frequent. It was a home in Milton where Charlotte was found. 

Monday 7:53pm: A scene of relief and jubilation at Moreau State Park when the news was announced that Charlotte had been found

Monday 7:37pm: The scene at SPAC at the time Charlotte was found. 

Monday 7:18pm: There are reports the suspect may have left a note at the Sena's home demanding some type of ransom

Monday 7:14pm: The Times Union reports a suspect with a criminal sexual history is in custody. 

Monday 7:00pm: Police have confirmed Charlotte Sena has been found alive! Developing...

Monday 6:48pm: Charlotte's aunt, Jene Sena appeared on the Nancy Grace podcast Monday. Sena told Grace Charlotte's bike was originally thought to have been found standing up using the kickstand. However, others in the area say the bike was on its side in the middle of the road. 

Monday 6:14pm: Capital Region residents are being asked to keep their porch lights on Monday night in support of Charlotte and her family

Monday 6:09pm: A GoFundMe has been set up to support Charlotte's family, as of 6pm over $10,000 has been raised. 

Monday 6:06pm: NewsChannel 13 reports that police are now interviewing hundreds of sex offenders in three surrounding counties as they continue their search. 

Monday 4:41pm: The New York State Police issued the following update Monday afternoon: 

The extensive search for Charlotte Sena continues. The search, which is being led by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, has expanded over 46 linear miles. At this time, approximately 400 certified search and rescue personnel are actively searching. The searchers originate from law enforcement agencies, 34 volunteer Fire Departments, along with private search and rescue groups.

The investigation remains classified as a missing child. State Police are pursuing all investigative avenues to locate Charlotte and, in doing so, have requested the assistance of local and federal law enforcement agencies and our partners including:

  • New York State Park Police
  • DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers
  • Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office
  • Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office and Schenectady Police Department
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services
  • United States Marshals Service
  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

This remains a continuous 24-hour operation and all received tips and information are being followed up on.  The people in this community are strong, and we support one another. We are asking our community to come together today to help Charlotte and her family.  When a child disappears, members of the community often have information they do not realize is valuable. This information is crucial in establishing a timeline of what happened. If you or someone you know visited Moreau Lake State Park on Saturday the 30th, please email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov you may have seen or heard something valuable to our search for Charlotte.  Whether you were there to take a walk, camping with family and friends, or for any other activity, we ask that you contact law enforcement. No detail is too small when searching for a missing child. 

Any search and rescue trained personnel who wish to volunteer can email rangers@dec.ny.gov. Please include your name, contact information, and credentials in the email.  Someone will contact you if assistance is need.

Moreau Lake State Park is closed indefinitely, and we request all members of the public to avoid the area. In addition, a temporary flight restriction has been issued by the Federal Aviation Administration over Moreau Lake State Park to ensure the safety of our aircraft operations. 

No interviews will be granted at this time as all of our efforts are being focused on finding Charlotte.  Any future media availability and updates will be posted to the newsroom. We ask the media to please respect the family’s privacy during the time and not contact them directly.

All agencies involved are completely committed to safely returning Charlotte home and will continue searching for her.

On behalf of all of us in law enforcement working together, we would like to thank the community for your overwhelming support in your assistance to help find Charlotte.  Charlotte is a bright and adventurous girl who loves to be outside.  Charlotte has a huge heart and wants to create a club at her school for kids who don’t have friends. She always put others first. Please know that we continue to work around the clock to bring Charlotte home.

Monday 3:54pm: Subrina Dhammi from NewsChannel 13 just checked in live on Facebook with a close-up look at search efforts. 

Monday 2:51pm: The Corinth Central School District has canceled their board meeting for Monday evening. Assistant Superintendent Jill Bovee sent out the following statement on the district's website

The Corinth Central School District is unfortunately aware that an Amber Alert has been issued for one of our 4th grade students, Charlotte Sena. The Sena family has the full support of the entire Corinth district and community. 

The district has mobilized its crisis team which has training and protocol to follow for such situations. Our staff will be ready to respond to student concerns and questions. We will also have extra counselors on site for any students or staff who should need their support.

The district maintains its focus on the safety and the well-being of our students and staff. Our hearts go out to the Sena family.

Monday 2:44pm: The Times Union reports a small police presence and officers searching the perimeter of the Sena home in Porter Corners, which is about 16 miles from Moreau Lake State Park

Monday 1:02pm: Many are wondering how they can help in the search for Charlotte. Her aunt, Jene Sena, is asking anyone and everyone to continue sharing Charlotte's photo on social media. Sena made the plea in a TikTok video Sunday. For anyone looking to share, a gallery of photos is located below. 

@hospicelens

#duet with @Jené Luciani Sena Everyone stop what you’re doing; Charlotte Sena has been abducted from a campground in NY while riding her bike on Saturday. An Amber alert has been issued. She is in immediate danger. Bike was found. She's only 9-years-old. Charlotte disappeared on a family camping trip in a New York state park on Saturday, and police believe she may be in danger. #findcharlotte #apb #childhoodtrauma #kidsoftiktok #momsoftiktok #traveltiktok #camping #missing #help #boost #charlottesena #newyork #rvtiktok #amberalert #fyp

♬ original sound - ThatBraChick

 

Monday 12:43pm: Gabriella Bruno from News 10 reports Canadian Pacific Railway Police have arrived on the scene. 

Monday 11:33am: Jacquie Slater from CBS 6 just tweeted this video of a K-9 unit searching near one of the park entrances

Police continue to search the wooded area around the park: 

Monday 11:24am: A family friend, Patrick Kane, was on the scene at Moreau Lake State Park Monday morning, he tells the Times Union

This family is hurting. You can’t imagine what the last 36 hours have been like for them. It’s devastating.

Monday 10:55am: Mount Zion Church in Gansevoort will be holding a prayer service for Charlotte Monday night at 7pm. The church is located at 207 Redmond Rd. Church Pastor Larry Deming tells the Daily Gazette

It’s been very difficult and people are devastated, especially parents that have kids and really must be feeling what [the family] is going through. We just want to be supportive and just pray for the whole situation.

Officials at Moreau Lake State Park have announced the entire park is closed until further notice as police continue to search for 9 year old Charlotte Sena. They ask that the public please stay away from the park. 

Sena was last seen shortly after 6pm Saturday as she was taking a ride on her bike. When she didn't return after about10 minutes, the family grew concerned and began looking for her. Her bike was found around 6:45 and police were called in. Since then, over 100 officers from the State Police, Park Police and Saratoga County Sheriff's Office have been searching the area. 

Police believe Charlotte was abducted and issued an Amber Alert on Sunday morning. 

Governor Hochul was in Moreau on Sunday to get a first hand look at the scene and to comfort the family. 

 

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