A girl who disappeared from Moreau Lake State Park while riding her bike, was found safe and unharmed Monday evening, and a 46-year-old male suspect in her disappearance was taken into custody, State Police said.

"It's exactly what we were all praying for," Gov. Kathy Hochul told Spectrum News 1 Monday night.

As 400 area, state and national officials conducted a massive search for the girl starting Saturday, the case got its first break at 4:20 a.m. Monday, when the suspect, identified as Craig Nelson Ross Jr., drove to the girl's family's home and left a ransom note in their mailbox, Hochul said at a 10:30 p.m. Monday news briefing at the New York State Police Troop G Headquarters in Latham.

Police guarding the home obtained the note and found a fingerprint match in the state data base from a DWI arrest in 1999 at around 2:30 p.m. Monday, Hochul said. That led police to Ross, who police found in a camper at his mother's house, and the girl, who was discovered in a cabinet, Hochul said.

"She knew she was being rescued," the governor said. "She knew she was in safe hands."

The girl was physically unharmed, but taken to a hospital for treatment and reunited with her parents.

Ross was taken into custody after light resistance, said Hochul, who had visited the site of the abduction. Saratoga County law enforcement officials confirmed Ross was arraigned and booked on a charge of first degree kidnapping early Tuesday morning. He's being held in Saratoga County Jail without bail, and state police say more charges "are anticipated." Ross is being represented by a public defender; his next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 6.

State Police say they searched multiple residences where the individual was known to reside, and located the girl safe in Milton at around 6:32 p.m. Monday.

While sources said the suspect was known to the family, Hochul said that had yet to be determined. His vehicle was registered under his name with an address two miles from where the girl lived, Hochul said.

The governor said she was in awe of the response by emergency search-and-rescue teams. 

"I admire their dedication. They were not going to stop until they found her and reunited her with her parents," Hochul said.

The Amber Alert was lifted, State Police said. The investigation into what happened continues. 

“Tonight is a joyous night throughout Saratoga County as we celebrate [the girl's] safe return to her family," Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Moreau Supervisor Theodore Kusnierz, Jr. said in a statement. "I am tremendously proud of and thankful to our law enforcement and first responders for their exceptional work in locating [the girl] and bringing her home.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers led the approximately 400-person search for the girl, who vanished while riding her bike in Moreau Lake State Park around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, State Police said.

An extensive search involving hundreds of certified search-and-rescue personnel took place. The girl was last seen on her bicycle on Loop A inside the park, according to police.

The searchers, according to State Police, were from law enforcement agencies, 34 volunteer fire departments and private search and rescue groups. The case remains a missing child investigation.

Among those State Police requested assistance from were: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York State Park Police, DEC Environmental Conservation police officers, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office and Schenectady Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services, the U.S. Marshals Service and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Moreau Lake State Park was closed, and a temporary flight restriction was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration over the park to ensure the safety of police aircraft operations.

Police had urged people to avoid the area.

Police said the girl is a bright and adventurous girl who loves to be outside.

"[The girl] has a huge heart and wants to create a club at her school for kids who don’t have friends. She always put others first," police said.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to redact the identity of a potential sexual assault victim.