The disappearance of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena during a family camping trip at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, New York has sent shockwaves through the community and triggered an intense search. The family’s desperate plea for help, coupled with the issuance of an Amber Alert, underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation as authorities work tirelessly to locate the missing child.
The hunt for 9-year-old Charlotte Sena, who disappeared from a New York state park on Saturday night, has intensified, and her family is now asking for the public’s help.
Nearly 45 miles north of Albany in Gansevoort, New York, near Moreau Lake State Park, Charlotte was last seen riding her bike around 6:15 p.m. At first, she cycled with her friends, but she wanted to complete one more loop alone.
After her bike was discovered on the trail without her, her mother called the police at 6:45 p.m. to report her missing.
State police arrived on the scene around 7:00 p.m. and began a thorough search of the 6,200-acre park.
Officials issued an Amber Alert Sunday morning.
According to Lt. Col. Richard Mazzone of the Uniform Force of the State Police, “After our thorough search of the park, we took this step to issue an Amber Alert because we felt that after this thorough search if we could not find her here, it was quite possible that there had been to kidnap.”
“The child was taken under circumstances that lead officers to believe they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s family are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Jene Sena, Charlotte’s aunt, said: “No tip is small, so if anyone has any information… She’s a cute, blonde nine-year-old with bangs. She’s a sweet, adorable little girl who’s about 5 feet tall and has emerald eyes.
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, said during Sunday’s conference that “we will leave no stone, no branch, no table, no cabin unturned, untouched, unexplored in our search for Charlotte.”
More than 100 people, including members of the public, law enforcement agencies, and foresters, are currently searching for the nine-year-old. In addition, authorities are searching the state park using boats, drones, and bloodhounds.
The park is still permanently closed.
The “critical time” has come in the search for Charlotte Sen.
“Now is a critical moment. The first 24 to 48 hours are critical in kidnapping cases, which statistics show this one could be,” CNN Senior Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said on CNN This Morning. When they finally found her bike, they realized she didn’t ride it, didn’t travel too far, and didn’t get lost. Something isn’t right.
I cannot stop thinking about this sweet child. Charlotte Sena has been missing for over 24 hours. She was abducted from Moreau Lake State Park in New York. Please send prayers, well wishes, good vibes, whatever it is that you do, for her to return home unharmed. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/hoZ0chDzQe
— Rose (@901Lulu) October 2, 2023
Charlotte, who was last seen wearing a tie-dye Pokemon T-shirt, navy blue leggings, a gray helmet, and black Crocs, grew up about 10 miles from where she disappeared.
Charlotte Sen’s disappearance is a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of children and the paramount importance of community vigilance and cooperation in such difficult times. In the face of adversity, communities come together and law enforcement agencies deploy their expertise and resources to find missing children quickly and safely.
While the search for Charlotte continues, the common hope is for her safe return and the public’s help remains invaluable in achieving this goal. In times of crisis, unity, compassion, and relentless determination shine brightly, as evidenced by the extensive search efforts and the outpouring of support from her family, authorities, and the community as a whole.