Trisha Sena, whose daughter Charlotte was kidnapped last year, shares her journey of healing and advocacy for missing and abused children.
In October 2023, Trisha Sena experienced a parent's worst nightmare: her 9-year-old daughter, Charlotte, vanished during a family camping trip in upstate New York. Charlotte's disappearance sent shockwaves through the community and launched a massive search operation.
After 47 harrowing hours, Charlotte was miraculously rescued from a stranger's camper trailer in Milton, New York. The suspect, Craig Nelson Ross, was arrested and later sentenced to 47 years in prison as part of a plea deal.
One Year After Disappearance, Mother Reflects on Daughter's Kidnapping and Rescue
A year after Charlotte's traumatic experience, Sena has transformed her pain into a source of hope and change. Alongside her sister, Jené Sena, she co-hosts the podcast "Sisterhood of the Survivors," where they share their stories of healing and advocate for missing and abused children.
The Sena sisters have also become vocal advocates for commonsense reforms to Amber Alert laws and the Child Survivor Privacy Act in New York state. These measures aim to improve the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases.
One Year After Disappearance, Mother Reflects on Daughter's Kidnapping and Rescue
Sena emphasized the importance of protecting children by ensuring that their stories are heard and that perpetrators are held accountable. She noted that Charlotte had to retell her story multiple times for prosecutors to build a strong case, which forced her to relive the trauma.
"As a whole, we need to do a better job protecting these kids," Sena said. "Retelling stories of abuse may deter some children from speaking up about their experience."
One Year After Disappearance, Mother Reflects on Daughter's Kidnapping and Rescue
The Sena sisters are also pushing for stronger sentences for child abusers. They believe that the current system is too lenient and allows perpetrators to escape with minimal consequences.
"These people who commit crimes against children are getting off with time served," Jené said. "It's not protecting our children by allowing them back out on the streets."
One Year After Disappearance, Mother Reflects on Daughter's Kidnapping and Rescue
Sena acknowledged that the past year has been incredibly challenging, but she remains committed to making a difference in the lives of others. She expressed gratitude for the support her family has received and the progress Charlotte has made in her recovery.
"We've made a lot of progress moving forward," Sena said. "Charlotte has made a lot of progress moving forward."
One Year After Disappearance, Mother Reflects on Daughter's Kidnapping and Rescue
The Sena sisters' advocacy efforts are a testament to their resilience and determination to ensure that no other family has to endure the pain and trauma they have experienced. Their unwavering commitment to protecting children serves as an inspiration to all who seek to create a safer and more just world for future generations.
