ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. — A Canadian man was sentenced to a term of 25 years to life in prison on Wednesday morning, bringing a grim conclusion to the case of the 2025 murder of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina.
Luciano Frattolin appeared in Essex County Court, where a judge handed down the maximum consecutive sentences for his roles in the young girl’s death and the subsequent cover-up. In addition to the life sentence for second-degree murder, Frattolin was sentenced to 1 to 3 years for the concealment of a corpse. The terms will run consecutively, ensuring he remains behind bars for a minimum of 26 years before becoming eligible for parole.
The sentencing follows a conviction in August, when a jury found Frattolin guilty on both charges following a trial that laid bare the horrific details of a crime that shocked both the North Country and his home country of Canada.
The case began in late July 2025, when Frattolin reported his daughter missing. He initially spun a frantic tale to New York State Police, claiming Melina had disappeared near Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George. Frattolin told authorities that he last saw his daughter being abducted by men in a white van, a claim that triggered an immediate, high-priority Amber Alert.
However, investigators quickly discovered that the narrative was a fabrication. State troopers identified significant inconsistencies in Frattolin’s timeline and account of the events. As the investigation intensified, police determined that no abduction had ever occurred. The search took a devastating turn shortly thereafter, when authorities discovered the young girl’s body in a shallow pond in the town of Ticonderoga.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors dismantled the defense’s version of events, presenting evidence that ultimately linked Frattolin directly to the death of his daughter and his desperate attempt to dispose of her body. The courtroom, which had been filled with tension throughout the summer proceedings, remained solemn as the judge delivered the final sentence.
The conviction and sentencing serve as a final resolution for the community, though officials acknowledge that the pain of the tragedy lingers. “This was a senseless act of violence against an innocent child,” said a representative from the prosecutor’s office following the hearing. “While today’s sentence ensures that Mr. Frattolin will face the consequences of his actions for decades to come, it cannot restore the life that was stolen.”
Frattolin was remanded back into custody to begin serving his sentence. He will be transferred to a New York State correctional facility in the coming weeks.
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