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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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A Canadian man who reported his 9-year-old daughter missing in New York has been arrested following the discovery of her body, authorities announced Monday.
Luciano Frattolin, the father of Melina Frattolin, now faces charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse, according to New York State Police (NYSP) spokesperson Robert McConnell.
The Context
Frattolin, 45, had reported Melina missing on Saturday, claiming she may have been abducted. An Amber Alert was issued as officials launched a public search. However, investigators soon identified discrepancies in Frattolin's account and determined there was no evidence to support the abduction claim.
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What To Know
Melina's body was found on Sunday near the state border with Vermont, just north of Lake George Village.
Frattolin did not respond to inquiries from Newsweek sent over the weekend via LinkedIn, Instagram, and his company's website.
On social media, he describes himself as a "loving father." A post on the website of a coffee company with which he is reportedly associated refers to Melina as "the light of his life."
Authorities said Frattolin had no prior criminal record or documented history of domestic violence.
When Was the Amber Alert Issued for Melina Frattolin?
The alert was first issued for Melina Frattolin on Saturday night, after the Warren County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call just before 10 p.m.
Her father had reported a possible abduction in the area of Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, a popular tourist destination.
An Amber Alert is a system used to rapidly disseminate information about an abducted child to the public in an attempt to aid in their safe recovery. It is a partnership among law enforcement, broadcasters, and transportation agencies to quickly engage the community in the search.
Multiple agencies were deployed in the investigation, including the Essex County Sheriff's Office, the Ticonderoga Police Department, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Forest Rangers, and the NYSP K9 and aviation units.
What Happened to Melina Frattolin?
The NYSP said Monday that multiple agencies searched for Melina on Sunday, finding her body in the shallow end of a pond.
On July 11, Melina and her father, from Montreal, Quebec, entered the United States legally for a vacation. They were expected to return on Saturday, where the girl would have been handed back into the custody of her mother, police said.
At 5.30 p.m., Melina was seen on surveillance footage in Saratoga Springs, New York, before speaking to her mother on the phone an hour later. She said they were headed back to Canada.
The NYSP alleged that sometime between 6:30 p.m. and the 911 call later that night, Frattolin killed his daughter and abandoned her body.
An autopsy was scheduled for later Monday.
Who Is Luciano Frattolin?
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Luciano Frattolin is a Canadian citizen and a resident of Montreal, which sits across the border from the U.S.
Police alleged that Frattolin fabricated the initial report of an abduction, as the story had inconsistencies leading officers to suspect his involvement in the girl's death.
Police said the father's motive was still unclear as of Monday morning. He has been charged with murder in the second degree and concealment of a human corpse, the NYSP said.
Frattolin was detained in Essex County, New York, pending his arraignment which took place Monday. The Times-Union of Albany reported he pleaded not guilty.
What People Are Saying
Captain Robert McConnell of the New York State Police, on Monday: "Public safety is always our number one priority. While these cases are very rare, they are incredibly tragic, and I just wanted to assure the public that the New York State Police and our law enforcement partners will always utilize all available resources to apprehend offenders that endanger children."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Sunday on X: "Heartbreaking news out of Lake George. We're mourning the loss of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin."
What Happens Next
The NYSP said its investigation was still underway, with a cause of death yet to be officially released.
Update 7/21/25, 2 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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