New York man, Craig Ross Jr, 46, admits kidnapping and sexually assaulting girl, 9, who he abducted for two days after snatching her while she cycled in state park on family vacation

A 46-year-old New York man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl after she was abducted during a family vacation.

The girl, who has not been named, was abducted on September 30 during a camping trip at Moreau Lake State Park in New York, near Saratoga Springs.

On Wednesday, Craig Ross Jr. confessed. guilty of first-degree kidnapping and sexual assault of a child. The settlement means that the case does not have to go to trial and the victim does not have to testify.

Ross was booked into the Saratoga County Jail on April 17 to await sentencing. He faces a prison sentence of 47 years to life.

More than 400 police officers joined the search for the girl last year as her family grew increasingly desperate until she was found hidden in a cupboard in Ross’ caravan two days later after Ross placed a ransom note in the family’s letterbox .

Ross last appeared in court on February 1. During that hearing, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Buckley said they had a tremendous amount of evidence, including more than 2,000 photos, surveillance videos, emails and witnesses to present.

After the kidnapping, the girl’s aunt said the girl was trying to return to normal.

She said: ‘It’s been a rollercoaster, she’s obviously a child who hasn’t asked what happened to her so she’s trying to get back to her normal life.’

The child was riding her bicycle alone on Loop A of Moreau Lake State Park when she disappeared.

She was cycling with a friend and family, but said she wanted to do “one last lap” alone before returning to camp.

It should have only taken a few minutes for the little loop to be completed, but when her parents realized she wasn’t back after fifteen minutes, they became concerned.

Her parents called authorities after discovering her bicycle on the trail, with officials searching the 6,250-acre park but finding no trace of her.

After she disappeared, a multi-agency search was launched spanning 47 miles, involving 400 federal, state and local personnel and volunteers on the ground.

Her aunt said it was “pure torture, pure torture really.” You think, what if this doesn’t end soon, what if we can’t find her, all those what ifs.’

The search continued for two days until Ross left a ransom note in the mailbox of the child’s parents’ home, demanding $50,000 for her return.

Police were able to identify fingerprints that would match a 1999 drunk driving charge for Ross and turned up at his mother’s trailer in Milton.

Two SWAT teams – one state and one federal – arrived in helicopters to the site, with Ross Jr. would have put up a fight.

They found the girl hidden in a closet.

Her aunt said that when she found out she was okay, she “fell to my knees and screamed.”

The child was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital after being found, where officials said she was in good physical health following the ordeal.

After the young girl was found, her mother Trisha and father David said: “We are very happy.

“A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State Police, all the agencies that were mobilized, all the families, friends, community, neighbors and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring her home.”

After his appearance last year, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen said Ross would be held accountable for his alleged conduct.

Heggen said, “We will do this thoroughly and completely because of the work that has been done and continues to be done by law enforcement to detain this defendant who committed a heinous, horrible crime against a young victim.

“We will hold him accountable and accountable.”

Speaking to ABC News, her aunt added: ‘Unfortunately in the world we live in there are predators and so justice won’t just be him being away safely from not doing this to anyone else.

“But also that she has a great support system and resources and everything she needs around her to move forward.”

She added: “This isn’t just a headline, this isn’t just something to get clicks, this is a real person, a real child, a real family.”

Ross, who looked disheveled in an earlier mugshot released by New York State Police, was described as a “recluse” who would care for his 11-year-old daughter half the week in his $180,000 three-bedroom home.

He had a limited criminal history before being charged with kidnapping; he was first arrested in 1999 in connection with a DWI case, which led to his arrest.

Ross Jr. also suffers from multiple sclerosis and had just moved into the caravan that officers had raided four weeks earlier.