Craig Ross Jr., suspect in kidnapping of Charlotte Sena, appears in court

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Explore More

The man accused of kidnapping Charlotte Sena looked dazed and disheveled in a new mugshot released after he was ordered held without bond early Tuesday — as authorities investigate whether he may have been involved in other child abduction cases.

Craig Ross Jr., 46, was snapped with a scraggly beard and a receding hairline in the mugshot released by police on Tuesday. It describes him as 6 feet 4 and about 275 pounds.

The mugshot was released hours after Ross was officially charged with kidnapping at an arraignment at the Milton Town Court, according to WNYT.

He was taken early Tuesday to the Saratoga County Jail, where he is being held without bond as cops continue to probe whether he may be involved in any other disappearances.

Police will spend the day questioning Ross to see if he had been stalking Charlotte, if he is a pedophile or if he is simply a criminal who was trying to make money off her ransom, Newsweek reports.

Suspect Craig Ross Jr. is being held without bond.

They will also speak with his family and friends about his whereabouts and his character, while simultaneously comparing his DNA against a database of child abduction cases.

Charlotte Sena was found just miles from her family’s home.
Authorities investigate the Home of Craig Ross Jr. after he was arrested for the kidnapping of Charlotte Sena. Daniel William McKnight for NY Post
Police are probing whether Ross may be involved in any other disappearances. Daniel William McKnight for NY Post
Aerial view shows Ross’ trailer where Charlotte was found.

It remains unclear if Ross allegedly targeted Charlotte specifically or went after her at random when she was alone for a few minutes while riding her bike through Moreau Lake State Park, where she had been camping with her family on Saturday.

The suspect lived just two miles from the child’s home, according to an address listed on his vehicle registration, Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a news conference Monday night.

She said the big break in the case came early Monday when Ross reportedly dropped a ransom letter bearing fingerprints in the Sena family’s mailbox.

Law enforcement scoured the area for Charlotte, who was found safe in the suspect’s camper. Angus Mordant
Investigators got a break in the case when the suspect dropped a ransom letter off in the family’s mailbox. Angus Mordant

Investigators entered the prints into their database and matched them to Ross Jr., who was arrested in Saratoga in 1999 on a DWI charge, according to Hochul.

“He literally drove up to the family’s mailbox, assuming they were not home [at] 4:20 in the morning, opens the mailbox and inserts the ransom note leaving the critical piece of evidence behind — his own fingerprint,” Hochul said.

Two law enforcement teams in helicopters then descended on a Ballston Spa address where the suspect kept his camper behind his mom’s house and arrested him “after some resistance” at about 6:30 p.m., Hochul said. 

Charlotte went missing while riding her bike through Moreau Lake State Park. New York State Police

“Immediately the little girl was found in a cabinet cupboard,” the governor said. “She was rescued and she knew she was being rescued. She knew that she was in safe hands.”

The girl’s parents were notified that she was rescued and appeared to be “physically unharmed,” but was still brought to a local hospital as a precaution.

Trisha and David Sena found a letter in their mailbox containing the suspect’s fingerprints. Facebook/Trisha Sena
Charlotte had been camping with her family at Moreau Lake State Park at the time of her abduction. Angus Mordant

Following the news, Charlotte’s aunt thanked the state police and local law enforcement for their efforts.

“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,” Jene Sena wrote on Facebook.

She had earlier shared a GoFundMe to raise money for the family as the search efforts continued.

Law enforcement activated an Amber Alert for Charlotte after her parents reported her missing. Twitter/@nyspolice
Hochul said the suspect was taken into custody after some resistance. Angus Mordant
Charlotte’s aunt updated followers with news of her rescue.

As of Tuesday morning, it had collected more than $17,000 as funds continued to come in to support the family during the difficult time.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7kGlmaWtfmL%2BitcZmqairo2K3s3nSrqqpnZOpeqq6jKSgnaaRpb2qusZmpp9lk52us7jOraueZaOau6J5wKmnnpmiqHqquoycpq6qpGQ%3D