Father of 9-Year-Old Melina Frattolin Charged – More Details Emerge Following the Little Girl's Death

New details have emerged in the tragic death of the young girl, including surveillance footage, a final phone call to her mother, and the disturbing location where her body was found — all leading to murder charges against her father.

New York State Police have charged the father of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin with second-degree murder and the concealment of a human corpse. The development comes after the child's body was found in a pond in Ticonderoga, New York, one day after she was reported missing.

Luciano Frattolin, 45, was arraigned on Monday morning (July 21, 2025) in Ticonderoga Town Court and pleaded not guilty to both charges. He is currently being held at the Essex County Jail.

Authorities said Luciano contacted the Warren County Sheriff's Office at around 9:58 p.m. on Saturday to report that his daughter had disappeared near Exit 22 on the Northway in Lake George.

He initially suggested that Melina may have been abducted. An AMBER Alert issued early Sunday stated the child had last been seen in a white van heading southbound.

Melina's body was discovered by law enforcement on Sunday, July 20, at approximately 1:50 p.m. Police located her in a shallow section of a pond in Ticonderoga. Court documents allege that her body had been hidden under a log.

Both Melina and her father were residents of Montreal, Canada. According to New York State Police, the two had entered the United States legally on July 11 for a vacation.

They were due to return to Canada on Sunday, when Melina was expected to be returned to her mother's full-time custody. Authorities noted that Melina's parents had been estranged since 2019.

On Saturday evening, Melina was captured on video at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs around 5:30 p.m. An hour later, she spoke with her mother by phone and said they were on their way back to Canada. Police said she appeared to be in good health and showed no signs of distress during the call.

During a Monday press briefing, Troop G Captain Robert McConnell stated, "The investigation has determined, sometime after Melina's phone call with her mother and before Mr. Frattolin's 911 call, he allegedly murdered Melina and left her body in a remote area where she was later discovered by law enforcement."

Officials said "inconsistencies" in Luciano's version of events raised suspicion early in the investigation. In his initial report, he claimed he had stopped to urinate in a wooded area and returned to find his daughter missing.

He also stated a suspicious white van had fled the scene. In a later version, he said that two unknown males had forced Melina into a van. Police said both versions were investigated and determined to be fabricated.

As of Monday, the cause of Melina's death has not been confirmed. An autopsy was scheduled to take place later the same day.

State Police said that Luciano has no previous criminal record or history of domestic violence. His felony hearing is scheduled for Friday (July 25) at 1 p.m.

These tragic new developments bring a heartbreaking sense of clarity to a case that began with uncertainty and suspicion. On July 19, Luciano made a call to 911, reporting his young daughter had gone missing. He also claimed that she might have been kidnapped.

Following his call, the Warren County Sheriff's Office began an immediate search. But as the investigation unfolded, law enforcement uncovered conflicting information in the father's account. His timeline of events did not match the gathered evidence. Authorities later stated there was no indication that an abduction took place.

Search efforts expanded with the help of multiple agencies, including the Essex County Sheriff's Office, Ticonderoga Police Department, and several New York State law enforcement units. K9 teams and aviation resources were also involved.

Sadly, Melina was eventually located deceased in Ticonderoga, New York. Due to jurisdictional factors, the case has now been turned over to the New York State Police. Officials emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation now remains active.

The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) of New York State released a statement following the discovery of Melina's body. The message, attributed to PBA President James McCartney, expressed sorrow over the outcome of the search.

"The PBA of New York State is extremely saddened to learn of the death of Melina Galanis Frattolin," the statement read. "Our PBA-member New York State Forest Rangers coordinated the search."

According to the release, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer, also a PBA member, found Melina's body while conducting a grid search in the Ticonderoga area.

The statement extended condolences to the girl's family and acknowledged the emotional toll on officers involved in the case. "Our thoughts are also with our member Forest Rangers and ECOs dealing with the grief of this horrific tragedy," James said.

News of Melina's death has sparked a wave of emotional reactions online. As details of the case continue to unfold, many have taken to social media to express grief, frustration, and suspicion over the circumstances.

One person wrote, "The father's story is not adding up. I hope I'm wrong." Another commented, "I knew there was something wrong with this story right from the get go. They tried to cover it up. Dirtbags."

Others called for accountability. "If it was a fabricated story on the father's part I would look in to the parents of this child and get to the bottom of it all," someone noted. "Clearly if the father isn't being truthful about his story maybe he had something to do with it.[sic]"

Some responses were more emotional, reflecting the pain felt by many over the loss. "My heart as a mom truly breaks RIP sweet angel," one person shared. Another wrote, "Come on please stop killing these beautiful children. Rest in peace sweet Angel. Prayers to her family.[sic]"

Calls for justice were echoed in several posts. "Lord please expose the person who did this to this baby girl. Just makes me sick," one read. Another added, "Family is who killed her RIP beautiful girl.[sic]"

Shorter messages captured the raw grief many are feeling. "Heartbreaking!" one person wrote. Someone else added, "Omg! What type of monster would do this to this sweet, beautiful, innocent soul? This is extremely sad! Prayers for the family." As the investigation continues, the public's demand for answers grows louder.

Luciano is known publicly as the founder of Gambella Coffee and a seasoned entrepreneur. His professional background spans multiple sectors, marked by a focus on building high-performing and culturally diverse businesses.

Born in the remote Ethiopian village of Gambella to an Ethiopian mother and an Italian father, Luciano grew up between two distinct worlds. He spent his early years among coffee plants on his family's plantation and later in the structured elegance of Milan.

These formative experiences shaped a worldview grounded in cross-cultural understanding. Luciano pursued studies in the humanities and social sciences, and his company's mission reflects his stated commitment to community and creativity.

He has described his entrepreneurial philosophy as one that prioritizes people over profit — a shift he attributes to a life-altering event in early 2019 that significantly impacted his health and outlook.

In recent years, he has been based in Montreal, Canada, where he lived with his daughter, Melina. Public biographical material paints a portrait of a devoted father, often describing Melina as his guiding light and the inspiration behind his personal and professional efforts.

He has spoken openly about raising her with a strong sense of identity, self-worth, and appreciation for global diversity.

What began as a father's call to 911, describing a missing child and a possible abduction, has now become a homicide investigation. With murder charges filed and new details continuing to emerge, the tragic case of Melina is no longer shrouded in uncertainty, but marked by grief, unanswered questions, and a growing call for justice.