The Essex County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday that the father of a 9-year-old girl found dead in Ticonderoga over the weekend has been taken into custody.
An Amber Alert was issued Sunday for Melina Galanis Frattolin after her father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, reported her missing on Saturday night. He initially claimed she had last been seen near Exit 22 off I-87 in Lake George and may have been abducted, according to New York State Police.
However, inconsistencies in Frattolin’s story and timeline raised suspicions, prompting a deeper investigation. Authorities later determined that no abduction had taken place.
Melina’s body was discovered in Ticonderoga following an intensive search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
The Frattolin family is from Canada, police noted.
While the Essex County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the tragic development, it has referred all additional inquiries to the New York State Police. The investigation remains ongoing.
