Missing Charlotte Sena, 9, believed to be 'in imminent danger'

October 01, 2023

The aunt of a missing nine-year-old girl has urged people to "keep praying" for her as police continue their search.

Charlotte Sena was last seen at around 6.15pm on Saturday at Moreau Lake State Park, which is 50 miles north of Albany, the capital of New York State, while she was camping with her family.

Police believe Charlotte was taken under circumstances that mean that she is in "imminent danger of serious harm and/or death". An amber alert for a "child abduction" was activated by police on Sunday morning.

Her aunt, Jene Lucianai-Sena, posted a video to TikTok appealing to the public for support and information surrounding the suspected abduction.

"There isn't any information that we can tell in this time but if you can keep sharing her photo and praying really, that is really the best that our family can ask at this time," she said.

"If you know anything at all please contact the New York State Police. If you know anyone that lives around the area. Any information would help with their investigations."

She was thought to be wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon T-shirt, dark blue trousers, black Crocs and a grey bike helmet when she disappeared.

"We just want her returned safely like any parent would. No tip is too small, please call if you know anything at all," her family said in a statement to Sky News' US partner network NBC News.

More than 100 personnel and 75 law enforcement officials have since been deployed in the search, which also includes dogs, two drones, boats and six underwater rescue teams, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Ms Hochul said Charlotte and her family were camping only 15 minutes from where she and her sisters were raised and the nine-year-old had been riding Loop A of the park with family friends when she said she wanted to do one more lap by herself.

When she didn't return 15 minutes later, her parents and nearby campers began to search the area.

Read more from Sky News:
New York flooded as city's infrastructure struggles to cope

US narrowly avoids government shutdown

At 6.45pm local time, the bike Charlotte was riding was found.

Having met with Charlotte's family, Ms Hochul said: "As a mother and as a grandmother, I cannot imagine the pain they're going through.

"Hopefully there will be a reunion, hopefully, there will be a family that has been traumatised but reunited."

Rate this item
(0 votes)

HOW TO LISTEN

103.5 & 105.3FM

Online

Mobile Apps

Smart Speaker