New York State Police have not identified a motive for the murder of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin by her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, who has been charged with second-degree murder and disposal of her body. The incident occurred on the last day of their U.S. vacation.
Father’s Legal Status
During a court appearance, Luciano Frattolin stated he could not afford an attorney. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by the county’s public defender. In court, he briefly informed Judge Richard Carpenter that the address listed for him in Montreal was incorrect.
Timeline of Events
The father and daughter arrived in the U.S. on July 11 for a vacation, visiting locations in Connecticut and New York, including New York City. On Saturday, around 5:30 PM, surveillance cameras in Saratoga Springs recorded them, marking the end of their trip. Around 6:30 PM, Melina called her mother to say she was fine.
Tragically, police believe Melina was killed between that phone call and her father’s 911 call at 9:58 PM. He reported stopping his car to urinate in the woods; upon returning, he claimed to have seen two men forcing her into a white van. The 911 call triggered an Amber Alert, initiating a frantic search for Melina.
Discovery of Melina’s Body
As the investigation progressed, the abduction story began to unravel. Melina’s body was found around 10:50 AM Sunday in the shallow end of a pond in Ticonderoga, concealed under a log. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Custody and Family Background
Despite the tragic turn of events, police noted that Luciano Frattolin had no prior criminal record in Canada, and his estranged wife did not believe their daughter was in danger from him. Following their separation in 2019, Melina’s mother was granted full custody, but the father had permission to take her on vacation.
