The man suspected of kidnapping nine-year-old Charlotte Sena from a New York state campground last weekend was recently investigated on allegations that he abused a 12-year-old family friend.
Craig N. Ross Jr., 46, — who was arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of Sena — was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old acquaintance more than a year ago, the Albany Times-Union reported.
The allegations, however, were not reported until this summer to New York State Police, the outlet reported.
Ross denied the girl’s allegations, and the state police closed the investigation last month without filing charges, three sources close to the matter told the Times-Union.
Craig Ross Jr. was investigated for sexually abusing an underage family friend just one month before Sena’s abduction.Saratoga County Jail
The New York State Police did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for a comment on the previous probe.
Ross is now in custody at Saratoga County Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail as investigators work to determine whether he is connected to other disappearances.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Sena was said to be “in good health” when police recovered her from a cabinet inside the camper that Ross lived in behind his mother’s double-wide in Ballston Spa Monday evening.
She was taken Saturday while riding her bike alone along Loop A in Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County.
Charlotte Sena is apparently in “good health” after being rescued.New York State Police
Ross was identified as the possible abductor via a fingerprint left on a ransom note he allegedly dropped off at Sena’s family’s address, Gov. Kathy Hochul explained at a press conference following the rescue.
Despite the 14-hour delay between the ransom note being left and Ross’ arrest, law enforcement experts told the Times-Union that the investigation was carried out as swiftly as possible.
As of Wednesday morning, police probing whether Ross had any connection to Sena’s family and if the kidnapping was targeted or a crime of opportunity.
Sena was found in a cabinet in a camper that Ross kept behind his mother’s house. DANIEL WILLIAM MCKNIGHT
Law enforcement with bags of evidence at the property where Ross lived on Tuesday morning.Daniel McKnight
Ross’ family’s property is located 13 miles from where Sena lives. (Daniel William McKnight)
The property where Ross was taken into custody is about 13 miles from where Sena lives with her family, the Times-Union noted.
Source link: https://nypost.com/2023/10/04/charlotte-sena-kidnap-suspect-investigated-for-abusing-preteen/