9-year-old Canadian girl whose father was charged with her murder was drowned, authorities say
Melina's father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, is facing charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse after allegedly fabricating a kidnapping story. CANADIAN GIRL, 9, FOUND DEAD IN NEW YORK AFTER FATHER CLAIMED SHE WAS KIDNAPPED
Frattolin remains in custody at Essex County Correctional Facility after his arraignment Monday in Ticonderoga Town Court.
According to investigators, Melina and her father crossed into the U.S. from Canada on July 11 for what was supposed to be a vacation. Surveillance showed the pair in Saratoga Springs around 5:30 p.m. on July 19, and Melina spoke to her mother by phone an hour later.
But by 9:58 p.m., Frattolin called 911 from Lake George claiming his daughter had been abducted. Less than 16 hours later, Melina's body was discovered in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, around 30 miles away.PADDLEBOARDER'S MYSTERIOUS KILLING ROCKS QUIET SUMMER VACATION AREA
Authorities said no evidence supported Frattolin's claims of an abduction involving a suspicious van. Law enforcement agencies from New York, Canada, and the FBI assisted in the investigation.New York state police are urging the public to submit tips, video, or dashcam footage showing the 2024 gray Toyota Prius the father and daughter traveled in between July 11 and July 19, particularly along I-87 Northway exits 28 to 20 during the evening of July 19.
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