Melina Frattolin, 9, Found Dead After New York Amber Alert
Authorities in New York issued an Amber Alert for 9-year-old Melina Frattolin, after they initially believed she was abducted.
However, Melina has now been found dead, and there is "no indication" she was abducted, New York state police wrote in a news release. Details in the case are still unfolding.
According to police, the girl's dad, Luciano Frattolin, had initially reported that she was possibly abducted.
On July 19, 2025, at approximately 9:58 p.m., "Warren County 911 received a call from a man reporting his 9-year-old daughter missing, with a possible abduction, in the area of Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, New York. The child was identified as Melina Frattolin, age 9, and the caller as her father, Luciano Frattolin, age 45, both residents of Canada," a New York State police press release says.
"The Warren County Sheriff’s Office initially led the investigation. As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided," it adds.
"With the assistance of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Forest Rangers, and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units, Melina was located deceased in Ticonderoga, New York," the release says.
"Due to jurisdictional considerations, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has turned the investigation over to the New York State Police. At this time, there is no indication that an abduction occurred, and there is no threat to the public."
Previously, an Amber alert was issued for the child.
"WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE - AMBER ALERT, 9-year-old child MELINA FRATTOLIN, female, brown hair, wearing light colored shorts, black and white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers," the Amber Alert page for the state of New York says.
"Last seen on I-87 near exit 22, Lake George at 9:40pm. Contact 518-743-2501 or 911 if seen."
The child "was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death," the alert continues
It included a photo of Melina.
New York State Police Amber Alert
Her full name is given as Melina Galanis Frattolin.
According to WNYT-TV, Melina was "last seen in a white van, southbound on The Northway near exit 22 around 9:40 p.m. Saturday" July 19.
No information was provided on possible suspects. The New York State police listed the suspect as "unknown" in the statement posted to its Facebook page.
According to the television station, the Amber Alert "was triggered around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, nearly 4 hours after police said the child went missing."
On the state police comment thread, some people questioned why the description was so vague and also wondered more about the circumstances, but authorities have released very little information so far.
"Can we get a better description of said white van please?…. A white van is such a vague description. Is it like a work van, a mini van, a sprinter type van…. How can we not get any better information than this?" wrote one man on the state police thread.
But a woman responded, "Getting her picture circulating is one of the best ways to help. I think if police had a better description of the vehicle they would have posted it. People seeing her face is what is important right now. They may stop at rest stops, restaurants, gas stations, etc. people know what she looks like can help someone recognize her."
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