A nine-year-old girl from Canada, reported missing by her father, was found dead in a pond in upstate New York. Preliminary autopsy results released on Tuesday indicated the cause of death was drowning.
The girl's father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin of Montreal, has been charged with murder and concealing the corpse of his daughter, Melina Frattolin. He pleaded not guilty and is currently in a county jail.
Frattolin initially reported his daughter missing on Saturday night, claiming she disappeared from a parking lot near Lake George. He later told authorities that two men had forced her into a white van. However, investigators found inconsistencies in his account and determined there was no evidence of abduction.
The girl's body was discovered on Sunday afternoon in a pond in Ticonderoga, approximately 30 miles north of Lake George. According to the criminal complaint, Frattolin had concealed her body under a log. The preliminary autopsy classified the death as a homicide.
Police reported that the father and daughter had been vacationing in the U.S. since July 11 and were scheduled to return to Montreal that weekend. The girl resided with her mother, who has been estranged from Luciano Frattolin since 2019. The investigation into the girl’s death is ongoing.
7 Comments
Karamba
I hope the court will give him the highest sentence. This cannot happen without justice!
Mariposa
Such a young life taken away. My sincerest condolences.
Muchacha
I hope the truth comes out. I sympathize with the family in this difficult moment.
Bella Ciao
A parent should never have to bury a child. This is a profound loss.
ZmeeLove
He deserves the harshest penalty allowed by law. No excuses.
Muchacho
He lied about everything. The white van story was a complete fabrication, and now a child is dead.
Loubianka
I can't imagine the grief this mother is experiencing. Supporting the investigation is key.