A heartbreaking nightmare unfolded in New York as 9-year-old Canadian tourist Melina Frattolin was found dead—days after her father claimed she had been kidnapped. What began as a desperate search has now turned into a tragedy that’s shaken both sides of the border. Melina, full of life and excitement on what was supposed to be a family trip, is now gone.

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A 9-year-old Canadian tourist was found dead in upstate New York Sunday afternoon — hours after an apparently bogus kidnapping report from her father, cops said.

Melina Galanis Frattolin’s body was recovered in Ticonderoga, New York – roughly 30 miles away from Lake George, where her father originally reported she was last seen.

 

Photo of Melina Galanis Frattolin, a 9-year-old girl.
Melina Galanis Frattolin was found dead in Ticonderoga, New York.New York State Police

Authorities had issued an amber alert citing her “imminent danger” of being harmed or killed earlier Sunday.

However, there was apparently no real abduction during the entire ordeal, authorities said.

Melina’s father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, called the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 9:58 p.m. Saturday evening reporting his daughter’s disappearance, noting a possible abduction, according to police.

Both Frattolins are residents of Canada, according to the New York State Police

While the WCSO was leading the investigation, authorities found “inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided,” according to the NYSP.

The investigation was soon turned over to the NYSP “due to jurisdictional considerations.”

 

Photo of Melina Galanis Frattolin, a missing 9-year-old girl.
Police activated an amber alert for Melina around four hours after she was reported missing.New York State Police

The NYSP determined that there was no indication of an abduction.

On Sunday morning, State Police activated an amber alert for Melina around four hours after she was reported missing along with a description. It was later cancelled at 4:18 p.m.

“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 read.

The circumstances of her abduction were not immediately released and the suspect was listed as “unknown” in the statement from NYSP.

No suspect or arrest has been announced, but the NYSP said that there is no present “threat to the public.”

The NYSP will be holding a media event related to Melina’s death and disappearance on Monday.

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