Photo: deepblue4you / iStock / Getty Images
In a tragic turn of events, Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Canadian, has been charged with the murder of his nine-year-old daughter, Melina. New York State Police allege that Frattolin killed Melina before falsely reporting her abduction on Saturday night (July 19) near Exit 22 on the Northway. The child's body was discovered on Sunday in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, approximately 15 miles from Lake George, where Frattolin initially claimed she was taken by two men in a white van.
According to Times Union, Frattolin was arraigned on Monday in Ticonderoga Town Court on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. He entered a not-guilty plea and is currently held in Essex County Jail. Despite his claims of financial hardship, Frattolin was represented by the Essex County Public Defender's Office.
The search for Melina began after Frattolin's 911 call, which prompted an Amber Alert. However, as the investigation progressed, inconsistencies in Frattolin's account emerged, leading authorities to suspect foul play. ABC7 reported that the search involved multiple agencies, including State Police K-9 and aviation units, as well as local law enforcement.
Melina's mother, who has full custody, was unaware of any potential danger posed by Frattolin. The couple had been estranged since 2019. An autopsy is underway to determine the official cause of Melina's death. Frattolin's arraignment marks the beginning of what is expected to be a complex legal process.