9-Year-Old Canadian Found Dead in New York: Why Did Her Father Report a False Kidnapping?

A nine-year-old Canadian girl has been found dead in Ticonderoga, New York, just a day after her father reported her missing from a nearby campsite. The father is now in police custody after inconsistencies emerged in his account of her disappearance.

Melina Galanis Frattolin, aged nine, was last seen on Saturday evening near Lake George. What began as a frantic search turned tragic within 24 hours when her body was found roughly 30 miles from the initial site.

Her father, Luciano Frattolin, claimed to police that she had been abducted—allegations that quickly fell apart under scrutiny.

Police Investigate the Circumstances of Melina's Disappearance

According to the New York State Police, Luciano Frattolin, 45, contacted the Warren County Sheriff's Office at 9:58 p.m. on Saturday to report his daughter missing from the family's campsite in the White Lake area. He insisted she had been taken by an unknown person, prompting the immediate launch of an Amber Alert.

Within hours, authorities began to notice that his story did not add up. The timeline shifted and details changed. Officers from local and state departments worked through the night, and by early Sunday afternoon, their search ended in tragedy.

Melina's Body Discovered in Ticonderoga

Melina's body was discovered just after 4 p.m. on Sunday in Ticonderoga, around 30 miles northeast of where she was reportedly last seen. State police confirmed the discovery and were quick to reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

Officials have yet to release details about the cause of death. The Amber Alert was deactivated shortly after her body was found.

Frattolin Remains at the Centre of the Investigation

Frattolin, originally from the Toronto area, had reportedly relocated to the US with his daughter not long before the incident. He is currently being held at Essex County Jail in New York. No formal charges have been announced, but authorities have indicated that updates will be provided following an upcoming press briefing.

He remains the only person publicly linked to the case at this stage, and officials are being cautious with their statements as investigations continue.

Questions Raised Over the False Kidnapping Claim

That question remains unanswered. Police have not provided a motive, and speculation has been widespread online. Investigators have emphasised that while his story raised immediate concern, no other suspects are being sought, and the wider public is not believed to be at risk.

Whether the original call was a panicked misstatement, a deliberate attempt at misdirection, or something more serious is now at the heart of the investigation.

Police Response Involved an Extensive Search Operation

The search was swift and extensive, with teams deploying K-9 units, aerial support and ground patrols throughout the night. As officers examined Frattolin's claims, they uncovered inconsistencies that led them to widen the search area.

That decision ultimately brought them to Ticonderoga, where Melina's body was found on private land. Police later confirmed that no kidnapping had occurred.

Further Developments Expected Following Police Briefing

The New York State Police are expected to release further information following Monday's press conference. An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death, and legal proceedings are likely to follow soon after.

The case has prompted public grief and international headlines, as communities on both sides of the border come to terms with the loss. For now, Frattolin remains in custody, and answers to many questions may take time to emerge.