Charlotte Sena, Missing 9-Year-Old, Found ‘in Good Health’ After 3 Days, Suspect Arrested

Police in New York have found a girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert after she went missing while on a bike ride in a state park on Saturday, and a suspect has been arrested in connection with her disappearance, police said.

Hundreds of searchers scoured a nearly 50-mile search area in the frantic hunt for missing 9-year-old Charlotte Sena.

Police ultimately found Sena after searching multiple residences where the suspect was known to live, including one located roughly 13 miles south of where Sena lived in the hamlet of Porters Corners.

Police said Charlotte was found to be in good health, three days after she vanished during a bike ride at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, New York.

The 46-year-old suspect arrested Monday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Sena allegedly left a possible ransom note at Sena's parents' house, per local media reports. Initial reporting also identified the suspect as having a prior conviction for sexual abuse, but authorities confirmed he is not a registered sex offender.

"After a 48-hour-long search, Charlotte Sena has been found. Extremely grateful to @nyspolice, @NYStateParks police, and all of our partners who worked tirelessly to locate Charlotte and ensure she could return home safely to her family," Gov. Kathy Hochul said via X.

She added: "I promised Charlotte’s parents we would get her back. I’m overjoyed at this news."

The fourth-grader was on a weekend camping trip with friends and family. While biking a trail with two others, she said she wanted to conduct a final lap on her own. She never returned and 30 minutes later, her family discovered her abandoned bike in the 6,250-acre state park.

She was reported missing that evening.

“Please let her come home," Charlotte's aunt, Jené Sena, begged whoever might have kidnapped her niece, NBC News reported Monday, hours before she was found. "Let her come home because this is heart-wrenching, this is gut-wrenching.”

Sena said Charlotte "disappeared almost into thin air. I mean, it was minutes between when she was last seen and when she wasn’t there anymore."

The FBI and the United States Marshals Service were among several law enforcement agencies aiding in the search, covering 46 miles, said police.

“Charlotte is a bright and adventurous girl who loves to be outside,” a previous news release issued by New York State Police stated.  “Charlotte has a huge heart and wants to create a club at her school for kids who don’t have friends. She always puts others first.”