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Suspect In 9-Year-Old's Kidnapping From NY Campground Pleads Not Guilty, Report Says

The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from a New York campground has formally denied any wrongdoing, Albany station WTEN reports

Craig Nelson Ross Jr., age 46, is accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park in September 2023. 

Craig Nelson Ross Jr., age 46, is accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park in September 2023. 

Photo Credit: Saratoga County Sheriff's Office/Wikimedia Commons user BowersE

Saratoga County resident Craig Nelson Ross Jr., age 46, of Milton, pleaded not guilty to nine criminal charges in Saratoga County Court on Friday, Nov. 17, the outlet said.

Ross is charged with the following:

  • First-degree kidnapping
  • Four counts of sexual assault
  • Two counts of sexual abuse
  • Endangering the welfare of a child
  • Assault

Ross was arrested Monday, Oct. 2, 48 hours after allegedly kidnapping the girl from a campground at Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County.

Daily Voice is not naming the child due to her age.

The girl’s disappearance Saturday, Sept. 30, triggered a statewide AMBER Alert and garnered national attention. 

Hundreds of search and rescue members fanned out across the 6,200-acre park for any sign of her.

Finally, on Monday evening, search crews found her in a closet inside Ross’ Milton home, according to police.

Investigators tied Ross to the kidnapping after getting his fingerprint off a ransom note that he left in the family’s mailbox, police said.

Following the kidnapping, Republican State Sen. Jim Tedisco introduced new legislation that would require all state parks, campgrounds, and recreational facilities in New York to have security cameras at all entrances and exits.

This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

Click here for the full report from WTEN.

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