Father charged with killing his 9-year-old daughter in upstate New York enters a not guilty plea.
Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Canadian man, has been charged with the murder of his nine-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, in upstate New York. During a court appearance on July 30, 2025, Frattolin pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and concealing a corpse. The case has garnered significant media attention due to the tragic nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
Frattolin was denied bail during his detention hearing held in Essex County, where the prosecution presented concerns regarding his potential flight risk. Prosecutors disclosed that Frattolin had affluent financial resources, including a bid of million for a property in Montreal and a claimed bank account balance of million. Additionally, it was revealed that he was in the process of selling a mining company, raising further concerns about his availability for trial. Conversely, defense attorneys maintained that Frattolin would not flee and had plans to stay with a friend in New York.
The intricacies of Frattolin’s financial situation emerged during the arraignment, with reports suggesting he was entangled in several lawsuits and faced considerable debt. This financial volatility calls into question the true extent of his wealth. Additionally, the prosecution noted that Frattolin possessed both Ethiopian and Italian passports, but his legal representatives disputed the claim of an Ethiopian passport, stating he was willing to relinquish his Italian passport.
The tragic timeline of events began with a weeklong visit to New York that Frattolin and Melina embarked upon starting July 11. Melina primarily resided with her mother in Montreal, and her parents had been separated. The trip was intended to strengthen their father-daughter bond but took a tragic turn on July 19 when Frattolin reported that Melina had been kidnapped from his vehicle while he was momentarily away. This prompted law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert, indicating that Melina was in imminent danger.
However, inconsistencies in Frattolin’s account led to his quick arrest the following day. The investigation culminated in the discovery of Melina’s body in a pond located approximately 30 miles north of Lake George. An autopsy determined that her death was a homicide, with asphyxia due to drowning identified as the cause.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case raises profound concerns regarding child safety, parental responsibility, and the legal system’s ability to manage such complex situations. The community and authorities remain deeply affected by this tragic incident as they seek justice for the young victim.
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