Charlotte Sena Kidnapping Suspect Found in Underwear, Forced Girl to Pen Own Ransom Note: Report

The suspect accused of kidnapping Charlotte Sena was arrested in his underwear hours after he allegedly forced the 9-year-old to pen her own ransom note demanding thousands of dollars from her parents, according to a new report from local media. 

Craig Nelson Ross, Jr., 46, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping in connection with Charlotte’s abduction from Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, New York.

The fourth-grader was reported missing by her family Saturday evening after she failed to return to their campsite inside the park following a solo bike ride, The Messenger previously reported.

Following a frantic two-day search for Charlotte, a break in the case came when Ross allegedly delivered a ransom note to the Sena’s mailbox in Greenfield, New York, around 4:20 a.m., hours before his arrest, Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a press conference Monday.

The note — which reportedly demanded $50,000 from Charlotte’s parents, Trisha and David Sena, in exchange for their daughter’s safe return — was seemingly penned by the little girl herself, sources familiar with the investigation told the Times Union.

Investigators ran the note for fingerprints and a hit came back Monday afternoon as an alleged match for Ross, subsequently leading several SWAT teams to his Ballston Spa, New York, trailer, located on his mother’s property. 

A brief scuffle ensued, but Ross was taken into custody shortly after, reportedly dressed in his underwear, sources said, per the outlet.

At the same time, authorities discovered Charlotte hidden in a cupboard inside the camper.

“She appeared to be outwardly physically unharmed,” Hochul said. 

Ross is being held at Saratoga County Jail without bail. He is due back in court Oct. 17.