A tragic discovery has been made in Ticonderoga, New York, where 9-year-old Canadian girl Melina Frattolin was found dead just hours after an Amber Alert was issued at the request of her father, who claimed she had been abducted. Authorities now say there is no indication that an abduction took place.
Melina and her father, Luciano Frattolin, were reportedly visiting New York from Canada when the father contacted police late Saturday night, stating that his daughter had gone missing from a rest stop near Lake George and may have been kidnapped. The report triggered an immediate Amber Alert early Sunday, prompting a large-scale search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, K-9 units, drones, and aviation teams.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the Amber Alert was canceled when Melina’s body was discovered in Ticonderoga, approximately 30 miles from the location where she was last seen. In a statement released by New York State Police, investigators confirmed that inconsistencies in the father’s account led them to determine there was no evidence supporting the claim of an abduction.
Luciano Frattolin, 45, was taken into custody and questioned by authorities, though no charges have yet been announced. Police say the investigation remains ongoing and that there is no threat to the public at this time.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, which initially handled the case, has transferred control of the investigation to the New York State Police. A press conference is expected to be held on Monday to provide further updates.
Melina’s death has shocked both the local community and many in Canada following the story closely. As law enforcement continues to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death, questions remain about what truly happened during what began as a family trip and ended in tragedy.
