Amber Alert issued for missing child in Gansevoort, NY; investigation underway

Drones, bloodhounds and an airboat were used in the search for a missing 9-year-old girl who had been camping with her family in upstate New York, officials said Sunday.

Charlotte Sena was last seen on Saturday evening in Moreau Lake State Park, about 35 miles north of Albany. She had been riding her bike around a loop in the bucolic park with other children when she decided to ride around one more time by herself. Her parents became alarmed when the fourth grader failed to come back after 15 minutes, Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a briefing Sunday.

More: Urgent search for missing 9-year-old NY girl continues. What we know now

The girl's mother called 911 after her bicycle was found about 6:45 p.m. Saturday.

Officials issued an Amber Alert on Sunday morning after an exhaustive search because “it was quite possible that an abduction had taken place,” state police Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone said.

The more than 100 searchers on Sunday included police, forest rangers and civilians.

“We are leaving no stone, no branch, no table, no cabin unturned, untouched, unexamined in our search to find Charlotte,” said Hochul, who described her as a “joyful” girl who was recently elected a class officer for student council.

The girl, a resident of nearby Greenfield, was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black Crocs and a grey bike helmet.

(Associate Press)

Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York State Police hold press briefing on missing NY girl

Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with New York State Police, said the search continues for a missing 9-year-old girl in Saratoga County in New York.

Hochul, along with law enforcement officials, held a news briefing Sunday afternoon on the efforts to find Charlotte Sena, who went missing about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday. An Amber Alert for the child was issued Sunday morning.

”It’s every parents nightmare,” Hochul said during the briefing.

The child was camping at Moreau Lake State Park with her family and a group of friends, went for a bike ride, and never returned, Hochul said. Her bike was located, but the girl was not. She was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black Crocs and a grey bike helmet. The park is about 35 miles north of Albany.

A massive search has been underway for more than 18 hours to find the girl. That search includes the use of dogs, helicopters, air boats and ATVs.

“Hearts are broken here in New York today,” Hochul said.

More information is expected to be released through the New York State Police.

Amber Alerts issued for missing 9-year-old NY girl

New York State Police have activated an Amber Alert and are investigating a possible child abduction that occurred near Moreau Lake State Park, in Gansevoort, Saratoga County, New York.

The alert was activated Sunday morning.

The child, Charlotte E. Sena, is a 9-year-old white female, with long, blonde hair. She is approximately 5 foot 1 and weighs about 90 pounds. The child was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black crocs and  a gray bike helmet.

She was last seen about 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 30, according to state troopers.

"The extensive search for her has continued over night and into the day time hours," said State Police Maj. Dennis Schager. "Out of an abundance of caution and due to the length of time that has lapsed an Amber Alert has been issued."

Troopers said the child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that she is in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death.

Anyone with any information is being asked to call the New York State Police at (518) 457-6811 or 911.

Gansevoort is about 4 hours east of Rochester.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Amber Alert issued for missing child in Gansevoort, NY