A tragic incident has shocked both Canada and the US. A 9-year-old Canadian girl named Melina Galanis Frattolin was found dead in Ticonderoga, New York, and police believe her father, Luciano Frattolin, was responsible for her death.
Luciano, who owns a café in Canada, has been charged with second-degree murder and illegally disposing of a body.
What Happened?
Melina and her father were on a vacation in the US. They were supposed to return to Montreal on July 20, where Melina was to go back to her mother’s care. Melina’s parents got divorced in 2019, and her mother had full custody. Even though they were no longer together, Melina’s mother did not believe her ex-husband was dangerous.
During the trip, Melina had even talked to her mother and sounded happy and healthy.
But on Saturday night, Luciano called 911 and said two men in a van kidnapped Melina while he had stopped his car on the roadside. However, police say this story was a lie.
What Did the Police Find?
According to Captain Robert McConnell, Luciano’s story didn’t add up. After an investigation, they found that he killed Melina and left her body in a shallow pond in a remote area. Her body was discovered on Sunday.
Police said Luciano gave different stories and wasn’t honest during questioning. Investigators believe the murder happened after Melina’s last phone call with her mother but before the 911 call was made.
A Heartbreaking Case
“This is a heartbreaking case,” said Captain McConnell. “Our goal now is to bring some justice for Melina and her family.”
Records show that Melina and her father had entered the US legally on July 11 for a vacation. Sadly, she never made it back home.
