Mugshot shows suspect charged with kidnapping 9-year-old girl who vanished on family camping trip

The mugshot of the suspected abductor of nine-year-old Charlotte Sena has been released by authorities.

Governor of New York Kathy Hochul revealed nine-year-old Charlotte was discovered alive yesterday morning (Monday, 2 October) after vanishing on Saturday (30 October) while cycling laps on a camping trip with her family in Moreau State Park, New York.

Police were able to track Charlotte down after analysing a ransom note which had been dropped off at the Sena family's house and allegedly had fingerprints on it.

The fingerprints were discovered already on the database - in relation to a 1999 drunk-drive charge - and are reported as belonging to 46-year-old Craig Ross Jr.

Ross' camper van was located behind his mom's house in Ballston Spa and SWAT teams assisted the search, authorities performing 'a dynamic entry tactical maneuver' according to New York governor Kathy Hochul.

The 46-year-old was arrested 'with some resistance' at around 6.30pm and Charlotte was also found hidden in a cabinet, reported as 'physically unharmed,' aware she was 'being rescued' and now in 'safe hands'.

At around 3am this morning (Tuesday, 3 October) an emergency hearing took place and Ross was indicted on a single charge of first-degree kidnapping, according to court documents obtained by Fox News. Around 40 minutes later, Ross was taken to Saratoga County Jail in Ballston Spa, New York.

In a felony complaint, state police wrote: "The defendant did abduct [the victim] and wrote a ransom letter with the intent to compel the payment of a ransom for her."

New York Police have confirmed Ross is being held without bail.

Saratoga Sheriffs Office

Police activated an amber alert soon after Charlotte's family called them to report her missing on Saturday early evening.

An amber alert means police suspect a child has been 'taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death,' according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The amber alert was called off earlier today, New York State Police taking to X - formerly known as Twitter - to state: "***AMBER ALERT - UPDATE***

"THE AMBER ALERT has been cancelled. Charlotte has been found safe and in good health."

CNN

In a post to Facebook, Charlotte's aunt, Jene Sena thanked authorities for their work in returning the nine-year-old safely home.

The post reads: "Thank you God and the FBI, NYSP, all the multiple agencies, friends, family, volunteers, community members, who worked tirelessly to bring Charlotte home!!!!!!!! GOD IS GOOD."