Father Charged With Murder of His 9-Year-Old Daughter After Reporting Her Missing [WATCH]

The father of a 9-year-old Canadian girl found dead in a shallow pond near Lake George has been charged with her murder, authorities confirmed Monday, as reported by The New York Post.

Luciano Frattolin, 45, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of a corpse after his daughter, Melina Frattolin, was discovered deceased in Ticonderoga, New York, on Sunday afternoon.

Breaking News ‼️
Father charged with murdering daughter, 9, after false kidnapping claim: Police say
Melina Galanis Frattolin’s body was found in a shallow pond on Sunday. Officials alleged that her father, Luciano Frattolin, falsely told police she had been kidnapped. pic.twitter.com/twXtTxOycz

— VNews (@V_News8) July 21, 2025

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Authorities allege that Frattolin killed his daughter shortly before they were scheduled to return to Quebec following a weekend custody visit.

Frattolin was booked into the Essex County Jail at 2:04 a.m. Monday. Later that afternoon, he appeared in court wearing a white jumpsuit and handcuffs. He did not respond to questions from reporters and remained silent as he was escorted to a New York State Police vehicle.

According to New York State Police, Frattolin had been traveling with Melina across Connecticut and New York over the weekend. The trip was part of a court-approved custody arrangement with his ex-wife, whom he divorced in 2019.

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Authorities said the father and daughter were last seen on surveillance footage in Saratoga Springs at around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

⚠️ WARNING: This post contains graphic descriptions of death.

Melina Frattolin, 9, was found deceased in Ticonderoga, New York, less than 24 hours after her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, claimed she had been abducted in a white van from the Lake George area. New York State… pic.twitter.com/jvtIqqBSUI

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) July 21, 2025

At approximately 6:30 p.m. that same evening, Melina spoke with her mother by phone. Police said she sounded fine during the call, which took place just over an hour before the pair were scheduled to fly home to Quebec.

Later that night, Frattolin contacted authorities to report that his daughter had been kidnapped, claiming she was abducted by someone in a white van at approximately 7:40 p.m.

An Amber Alert was issued, and police initially warned the public that the child might be in “imminent danger.”

However, law enforcement officials later stated there was no evidence of a kidnapping. Investigators found inconsistencies in Frattolin’s account and ultimately determined that Melina had likely been killed shortly after the phone call with her mother.

An autopsy was scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death. Officials have not disclosed a motive. Police confirmed Frattolin had no prior criminal or domestic violence history.

Melina’s mother also had not raised concerns about her daughter’s safety in previous custody exchanges.

Frattolin is the founder of Gambella Coffee, a Montreal-based company. On the company’s website, he described Melina as “the light of his life” and “his inspiration.”

The biography further stated that she had taught him to “let go of his rigid tendencies” and inspired his pursuit of “a more equitable and just world.”

JUST IN: Video of Luciano Frattolin, 45, who is charged in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin. pic.twitter.com/CzSTcwI6WL

— WNYT NewsChannel 13 (@WNYT) July 21, 2025

Authorities continue to investigate and have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed.

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