Gansevoort, NY – A massive search operation is underway for a 9-year-old girl who disappeared while on a bike ride in Moreau Lake State Park, New York, on Saturday evening. The missing child, Charlotte Sena, was last seen by her family as she embarked on a solo bike ride around the park.
The incident has sparked a significant response from local and state law enforcement agencies. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the girl’s disappearance during a press conference on Sunday, stating that Charlotte was camping with her family when she vanished. The young girl had been cycling with friends she considers cousins before deciding to take one more lap around the park alone.
According to Hochul, Charlotte was missing for about 15 minutes before her family realized she was gone. Her bike was later found, but the details of who discovered it remain unclear. The New York State Police (NYSP), led by Assistant Deputy Superintendent Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone, arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes after the family called 911.
The search for Charlotte has involved over 100 personnel, including 75 law enforcement officers on the ground. The operation has utilized NYSP K-9s and bloodhounds, Moreau Lake State Park forest rangers, six underwater rescue teams, two drones, an airboat, a Sonar boat, and technology experts to analyze communications within the park.
An AMBER alert was issued for Charlotte on Sunday morning, indicating that authorities believe she may be in imminent danger of serious harm or death. The alert describes Charlotte as a white female, 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing approximately 90 lbs. She was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokémon shirt, dark blue pants, black Crocs, and a gray bike helmet.
The search for Charlotte continues, with authorities leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to locate her. Anyone with information is urged to contact the New York State Police at 518-477-9333 or call 911.