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Luciano Frattolin, accused of murdering his nine-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, pleaded not guilty in an Essex County courtroom on Wednesday (July 30). The 45-year-old father, originally from Montreal, is charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. He remains in custody without bail, as Judge Tatiana Coffinger determined that continued detention is necessary to ensure his presence at future court proceedings.
Frattolin was arrested on July 20 after reporting his daughter missing in Lake George. According to CBC News, police allege that Frattolin fabricated the story of her abduction. Authorities later discovered Melina's body in a pond near Ticonderoga, New York, and an autopsy revealed that she had drowned.
During the investigation, Frattolin claimed he had left his car to urinate in a wooded area, and upon returning, found Melina missing. He reported seeing a white van fleeing the scene and mentioned two unknown men forcing his daughter into the vehicle.
The case, which has been approved by a grand jury, will return to court on August 19. Frattolin is represented by a state public defender as the legal process continues.