Father Charged with Murder in 9-Year-Old's Death After Falsely Reporting Kidnapping

Strategic Insights -

In a shocking turn of events, a 45-year-old man from Canada has been arrested and charged with murdering his 9-year-old daughter, whose body was found in shallow water in upstate New York after he falsely reported her kidnapped. The girl, Melina Frattolin, was reported missing by her father, Luciano Frattolin, on Saturday evening, leading to a massive law enforcement response and an Amber Alert.

Key Takeaways:

  • Melina Frattolin was first reported missing by her father, Luciano Frattolin, on Saturday evening just before 10 p.m. in Warren County, New York.
  • Luciano called 911 and told dispatchers that Melina was abducted by a driver in a white van at a rest stop off Interstate 87 near Lake George.
  • The New York State Police issued an Amber Alert shortly afterward, describing Melina as 5'0", with brown hair and brown eyes, and wearing light-colored shorts, a black-and-white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers.
  • Multiple agencies searched for Melina, including the State Police, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Essex County Sheriff's Office, and Ticonderoga Police Department.
  • Police found Melina dead in shallow water in Ticonderoga, New York, about 15 miles from where her father reported her missing.
  • Authorities say there were "inconsistencies" in Luciano's story, and he fabricated the story of the kidnapping.
  • Luciano is now being held at the Essex County Jail and has been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of human corpse.
  • Luciano and Melina came to the U.S. from Canada for a vacation on July 11, and they were expected to return on Sunday, when Melina's body was found.

Statistics:

  • The search area for Melina was narrowed down to Ticonderoga based on inconsistencies in Luciano's initial account and technology available to law enforcement.
  • Melina's body was found in shallow water, about 15 miles from where her father reported her missing.
  • Luciano has no prior criminal history.
  • The Essex County Jail is holding Luciano, where he is awaiting arraignment.
  • Melina's mother, who has been estranged from Luciano since 2019, had been left in the dark about the vacation, although she had no concerns about her daughter's safety.

Sources:

  • New York State Police
  • Warren County Sheriff's Office
  • Essex County Sheriff's Office
  • Ticonderoga Police Department
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • New York State Forest Rangers