Title: Shocking Crime: Man Sentenced to 47 Years for Kidnapping and Assaulting 9-Year-Old Girl
Content:
Subheading: Craig Ross Jr. Sentenced to 47 Years to Life in Prison for Heinous Crime
Craig Ross Jr., the 47-year-old man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl he abducted while she was on a camping trip with her family, has been sentenced to 47 years to life in prison.
Subheading: Victim’s Heart-Wrenching Statement Read in Court
In the courtroom, the prosecutor read a statement written by the 9-year-old victim. “Because of you, I can’t sleep at night. Why did you do what you did? Did something happen to make you do this? It bothers me that you took advantage of me being nice,” the prosecutor read.
Subheading: Dramatic Search at Moreau State Park Ends with Girl’s Safe Rescue
The young girl went missing when she was riding her bike at an Upstate New York campground on September 30. The search at Moreau State Park outside Albany gained national attention after the kidnapper delivered a ransom note demanding $50,000. The fingerprints on the note led authorities to Ross. The girl was found on Oct. 2 imprisoned inside a cabinet in Ross’ camper.
Subheading: Emotional Impact on Victims and Family Revealed
“You are haunting my thoughts but now I will be haunting yours,” the girl wrote in the note read in court. “Eventually I might forget you, but you won’t forget me.” District attorney Karen Heggen spoke with Inside Edition. “He sat there with not any kind of emotion or response, which was disheartening,” Heggen said.
Subheading: Family Members Express Anguish and Unforgiveness in Statements
The girl’s aunt was in court when the statement was read. “For a 9-year-old to be so articulate and eloquent with her words and you could tell that it was a child that wrote it but it was so thoughtful,” she said. The girl’s mother tearfully read a statement. “I don’t understand why people like you do the things you do. You took something from my daughter that can’t be replaced and I will never forgive you for that,” the mother said.
Subheading: Justice Served as Ross Receives 47-Year Prison Sentence
In a case that shook the community, Craig Ross Jr. has been held accountable for his despicable actions against a young innocent victim. The sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes and hopefully brings some closure to the traumatized family and the brave young girl who endured such a harrowing ordeal.