Trisha Sena experienced every parent’s worst nightmare during a camping trip with her family in upstate New York last year. Her 9-year-old daughter, Charlotte, disappeared while riding her bicycle around a lake at Moreau Lake State Park. Charlotte was approached by a man who lured her into his truck, leading to a 47-hour abduction.
Sena immediately called the police when she realized her daughter was missing, and a ransom note was later dropped off at their home. State police were able to track down the suspect and rescue Charlotte from his mother’s trailer in Milton, just outside Saratoga Springs.
Since the incident, Sena and her sister, Jené Sena, have turned their family’s trauma into a source of hope and change for families dealing with similar situations. They now co-host a podcast called “Sisterhood of the Survivors,” where they share their stories and advocate for updates to Amber Alert laws and child abuse legislation.
The sisters are pushing for stronger sentences for child abusers, as they believe it is unjust for perpetrators to be released from prison after serving minimal sentences. The man responsible for Charlotte’s abduction, Craig Nelson Ross, was sentenced to 47 years as part of a plea deal, despite facing a potential 111-year sentence.
Trisha Sena emphasized the importance of protecting children and ensuring that justice is served for survivors of abuse. Charlotte’s resilience and the Sena family’s advocacy efforts serve as a reminder of the strength and determination needed to overcome such traumatic experiences.
