Seeing suspected child kidnapper in court was ‘being in presence of pure evil’, girl’s aunt says

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Craig Ross Jr. appears in a New York courtroom

Accused kidnapper Craig Ross Jr. appears in Saratoga County Court in Ballston Spa, New York on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital) 

The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from an upstate New York park has been deemed fit for trial and well enough to show up in person for court appearances. 

Craig Ross Jr., 46, wore a vest over his collared shirt for Thursday’s appearance. He was handcuffed the entire time.

The victim’s aunt, Jene Sena, sat in the Saratoga County, New York, courtroom during the brief appearance.

“Seeing him today was being in the presence of pure evil and justice needs to prevail now, so he can never do this to anyone else ever again because he absolutely will,” Sena told Fox News Digital.

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Craig Nelson Ross Jr., left, speaks with his defense attorney Matthew Maiello while appearing before Judge James Murphy in Saratoga County court in Ballston Spa, New York, on Thursday, Feb.1, 2024. Ross is charged with kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital )

Ross pleaded not guilty to a nine-count indictment on kidnapping and sex abuse charges. 

He allegedly grabbed the girl from a New York State park on Sept. 30 and held her captive in a camper behind his mom’s double-wide trailer. 

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Craig Nelson Ross Jr. is escorted by sheriff’s deputies as he leaves after appearing before Judge James Murphy in Saratoga County court in Ballston Spa, New York, on Thursday, Feb.1, 2024. Ross is charged with kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital )

By Oct. 2, several law enforcement agencies tracked down the girl and rescued her in spectacular fashion. 

They swarmed the area around Ross’ mother’s house, blasted through the camper door with flashbangs and found the missing girl alive in a cabinet. 

“We’ve been put through something that no family should ever have to go through, and we’re taking it one day at a time,” Sena said.

Craig Nelson Ross Jr., left, is seen with his defense attorney Matthew Maiello while appearing before Judge James Murphy in Saratoga County court in Ballston Spa, New York, on Thursday, Feb.1, 2024. Ross is charged with kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park. (Hans Pennink for Fox News Digital )

There was a temporary pause on Ross’ case when his defense attorney recused himself from the case to take a political job. 

Matthew Maiello took over as the suspected child kidnapper’s lawyer, and Thursday was the first time he appeared next to his new client in court.

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He did not return Fox News Digital’s request for comment or answer questions about the case. 

Ross is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 21. 

Chris Eberhart is a crime and US news reporter for Fox News Digital. Email tips to chris.eberhart@fox.com or on Twitter @ChrisEberhart48.