Canadian Girl Found Dead in New York Near Vermont Border
A 9-year-old Canadian girl, identified as Melina Galanis Frattolin, was found dead on Sunday afternoon in Ticonderoga, New York, following an Amber Alert and multi-agency search effort. Authorities now say she was not abducted, and they are investigating her father’s conflicting statements.
Melina’s body was discovered near the New York-Vermont border, just 15 miles from Lake George, where her father, Luciano Frattolin, had reported she was kidnapped on Saturday night by a man in a white van.
Father’s Account Under Scrutiny After Massive Search Effort
Luciano Frattolin, 45, called 911 on Saturday night, claiming a stranger had abducted his daughter from a rest stop off Interstate 87 near Lake George. His report prompted a statewide Amber Alert and a large-scale search involving:
- New York State Police aviation and K-9 units
- New York State Park Rangers
- Warren and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Ticonderoga Police Department
However, police soon noticed inconsistencies in his story, including discrepancies in the timeline and circumstances described.
“As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided,” New York State Police said in a statement.
No Signs of Abduction, No Threat to Public
While details remain limited, authorities confirmed that there was no evidence of an abduction, and they emphasized that there is no threat to the public.
“At this time, there is no indication that an abduction occurred,” the statement read.
Officials have not yet revealed the cause of Melina’s death, and no charges or arrests have been confirmed. State Police have taken over the investigation from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and have not released any further comments on Frattolin’s involvement.
Amber Alert Based on Fabricated Abduction Story
The original Amber Alert, issued early Sunday, described Melina as wearing light-colored shorts, a blue-and-white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers. It stated that the child had been taken “under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death.”
This statement, released before law enforcement uncovering the false narrative, was based on Frattolin’s 911 call and radio dispatches recorded by Broadcastify.
Investigation Continues, Questions Mount
As of Sunday evening, authorities continue to question Luciano Frattolin and are investigating the circumstances leading to Melina’s death. Officials from both Canada and the U.S. are likely to coordinate as the case develops, given the cross-border implications.
The tragic discovery has prompted calls for greater scrutiny of false abduction claims, especially when they can divert resources and endanger public trust in emergency alerts.
