Missing 9-Year-Old Charlotte Sena Found Safe, Suspect in Custody

A missing 9-year-old girl, Charlotte Sena, has been located alive after a frantic three-day search, during which reports suggested she was abducted from a campground in Upstate New York. Authorities have detained a suspect in connection with the case.

Charlotte Sena was last seen on her bicycle at Moreau Lake State Park, approximately 35 miles north of Albany, New York, where she was camping with her family. She was reported missing on Saturday at 6:15 p.m., having been riding her bicycle with friends before deciding to go on one more solo ride. Her mother, Trisha Sena, discovered the bicycle but could not find her daughter, leading to a massive search operation involving state police, forest rangers, divers, dogs, drones, and helicopters.

In an update on the case, New York State Police authorities confirmed that Charlotte Sena had been located in good health, and a suspect is in custody. The investigation initially identified an individual in the vicinity of Moreau Lake State Park at the time of Charlotte’s disappearance, leading to searches of multiple residences associated with the individual. Charlotte was found during one of these searches in private homes at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Amber Alert issued for Charlotte Sena had indicated that she was taken under circumstances suggesting she was in imminent danger of serious harm or death. The search effort involved multiple agencies, including law enforcement and volunteer fire departments, and attracted community support.

Moreau Lake State Park, where Charlotte Sena was last seen, remains closed “until further notice,” according to its website. The park spans 4,600 acres in Saratoga County, offering dense forests, pine stands, and rocky ridges.

Charlotte Sena’s disappearance has been a distressing experience for her family, who have been joined by friends and over 30 family members at the campsite to support the search efforts. Her parents, David and Trisha Sena, both work in different capacities, with David being a union pipe fitter and Trisha serving as a food service inspector.

Described as a kind, funny girl known for her dry humor and infectious smile, Charlotte Sena was the middle child of three girls. Her safe recovery has brought relief to her family and highlights the importance of public vigilance in cases involving missing children.

The case has drawn attention to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which assists law enforcement agencies in cases of missing children. John Bischoff, Vice President of the Missing Children Division at the organization, emphasized the importance of early investigations and community involvement in such cases. He called on Americans to remain vigilant and observant in their communities to help locate missing children.

The case of Charlotte Sena, while resolved safely, sheds light on the thousands of missing children cases listed on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website, where timely awareness and action can make a significant difference.