In a Saratoga County courtroom, Craig Ross Jr. entered a guilty appeal as part of a compromise that will result in a prison sentence of 47 years to life, according to NBC affiliate WNYT of Albany.
Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping
Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen told the station that during the court proceedings, "we heard Craig Ross Jr. say he was responsible for kidnapping a young person in our community, that he was responsible for committing predatory sexual assault against that child." Heggen added that he won't be qualified for parole consideration until he is 93 years old.
Ross, 46, faced imprisonment and charges after the 9-year-old girl vanished from Moreau Lake State Park, generally 10 miles north of Saratoga Springs.
The child, who had been camping and biking with family friends on Nov. 30, did a solo loop and failed to return. Her bike was discovered on the loop during the initial investigation.
The child was eventually found on Oct. 2 in a trailer where Ross lived.
Triumph for the Family of the 9-Year-Old Abducted Girl
As of Wednesday evening, an attorney listed as representing Ross had not responded to a voicemail seeking comment after business hours.
Heggen stated that the guilty plea brings an end to the criminal case, eliminating the need for testimony or additional statements.
Ross Jr., aged 46, entered convicted pleas for both seizure and predatory sexual violation against the child.
As part of the mediation, prosecutors are seeking a 25-year to life sentence for seizure and a 22-year to life sentence for sexual violation. This development occurred just weeks before the scheduled trial.
The district attorney views it as a triumph for the family, as the girl will now be spared from testifying in court.
Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen stated, "His admission of guilty ends the question of who was responsible for the kidnapping that rallied our entire community together to assist in locating her. He will serve decades in prison before any parole consideration is available to him,"
The disappearance of the girl in September 2023 gained national attention. After a bike ride with friends at Moreau Lake State Park, north of Albany, she went for a solo ride and disappeared.
Her parents initiated a search and found her abandoned bike. Following an intense search, she was located hidden in a cabinet inside a trailer behind the suspect's mother's home two days later.
Authorities identified Ross through his fingerprints on a ransom note delivered to the girl's family.
Despite initially pleading not guilty to charges including kidnapping, predatory sexual assault, sexual abuse, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child, Ross has now admitted guilt.
Heggen emphasized, "He pled guilty because he is guilty, and that makes us able to say today, this case is concluded, absent the sentencing. There's no question that he's the person who did this."
Ross is scheduled for sentencing in April, facing 47 years to life in prison, rendering him ineligible for parole before his 93rd birthday.
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