CNN – The 46-year-old man accused of kidnapping 9-year-old Charlotte Sena in upstate New York wrote a ransom note with the intent to obtain money, according to an arraignment memorandum released on Tuesday. Craig Nelson Ross Jr., kidnapped the girl and penned a ransom letter in an attempt to compel the payment of money as ransom, according to the document. Ross is facing charges of first-degree kidnapping, and further charges are expected. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 6. He has been detained without bail at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility, as announced by the New York State Police in a news release. CNN has reached out to Ross’ defense attorney for comment. The information from the court document was released a day after the 9-year-old girl was reunited with her family following an extensive two-day search. The Sena family expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for safely resolving the disappearance in a statement on Tuesday. They stated, “We are overjoyed that she is home and we understand that not every family gets the same outcome…Our heartfelt thanks go out to the FBI, the New York State police, all the agencies that were involved, as well as the families, friends, community, neighbors, and countless volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring Charlotte home.” Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that state police have postponed interviewing Charlotte about her abduction and time in captivity. After a medical examination, Charlotte was returned to her family to allow them some time together. Trained forensic interviewers skilled in interviewing young victims and witnesses will conduct the interviews, according to sources cited by CNN’s John Miller. Sources mentioned that investigators were able to locate Charlotte thanks to the ransom note. The note was placed in the mailbox at the Sena family’s residence before dawn on Monday. Fingerprints found on the note were crucial in identifying Ross as a suspect. Authorities subsequently traced him to a residence where he was apprehended, and Charlotte was discovered concealed in a cabinet. The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, confirmed the girl’s physical well-being and stated that she was taken to a hospital for examination. Ross has invoked his right to an attorney and has not been formally questioned, according to sources. Charlotte disappeared on Saturday while on a camping trip with her family at Moreau Lake State Park in New York. The incident triggered a frantic search involving numerous agencies, including the FBI and state police. Charlotte’s parents were still searching for her at the campsite early Monday morning when the ransom note was dropped off. When state police discovered the note, they were able to recover fingerprints, which led to the identification of Ross as the suspect. He was subsequently arrested, and Charlotte was found unharmed. Ross allegedly resisted arrest and sustained minor injuries. In addition to fingerprints, investigators also analyzed cell phone records and park records to gather information about Charlotte’s disappearance. The property where Charlotte was found is registered to Ross’ mother and is located approximately 17 miles from Moreau Lake State Park. Ross also owns a property only 1,400 feet from the Sena family’s home. Charlotte’s parents went through every parent’s worst nightmare when their daughter did not return from her bike ride on Saturday, according to Hochul. She was last seen riding her bike around 6:15 p.m. in the park, and her mother reported her missing when her bike was discovered abandoned later that evening. Authorities expanded the search in multiple counties and began to suspect an abduction as time passed. The search involved approximately 400 personnel from various law enforcement agencies and volunteer groups. Hochul expressed gratitude towards everyone involved in the search efforts. Numerous resources from state and federal agencies were employed in the search, including specialized law enforcement teams and the FBI’s support. The investigation is ongoing.
Suspect in kidnapping of 9-year-old girl wrote a ransom note to try to get money, court documents state
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