Case of Montreal father accused of killing 9-year-old daughter moves to grand jury

CTV News

25-07-2025

This undated booking photo provided by the New York State Police shows Luciano Frattolin, who is charged with murder and concealing of a corpse in the death of his daughter, Melina Frattolin. (New York State Police via AP)
The court appearance for the Montreal man accused of killing his nine-year-old daughter in the United States has been cancelled.
Luciano Frattolin, 45, was set to appear at the town courthouse in Ticonderoga, N.Y., Friday afternoon, but the court said the appearance will no longer take place.
'The felony hearing for Friday at 1 o'clock is cancelled. The case is being held for grand jury action,' stated the courthouse's voicemail. 'The court has no further information.'
9-year-old daughter of Luciano Fratollin died from drowning, autopsy finds
9-year-old daughter of Luciano Fratollin died from drowning, autopsy finds
Grand juries in the United States are groups of citizens called by the court to determine whether there's probable cause for a case to proceed to trial.
They do not determine guilt or innocence, and are usually composed of 16 to 23 people.
Prosecutors present their evidence during grand jury hearings, which are private, and can include court documents and witness testimony.
Frattolin's daughter, Melina Frattolin, was found dead on July 20 in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, about 50 kilometres northeast of Lake George near the New York-Vermont boundary. The father and daughter entered the U.S. on July 11 for a vacation and were supposed to return the day her body was found.
On Tuesday, New York State police revealed preliminary autopsy results into her death, revealing that Melina died of asphyxia due to drowning and ruling her death a homicide.
Her father was charged a day earlier with second-degree murder and the concealment of a human corpse.
The Associated Press reported that a plea of not guilty was entered on Frattolin's behalf Monday morning.