The 9-year-old, whose body was found in a New York pond, was on a pre-arranged custodial visit with her dad at the time of her death on July 19, 2025.

Luciano Frattolin has been charged with murdering his 9-year-old daughter Melina Frattolin, New York State Police officials announced July 21. Melina Frattolin was found dead in Upstate New York on July 20 after Luciano Frattolin reported her abducted the previous night, NYSP said in a release.

Canadian father Luciano Frattolin was expected to return his daughter to her mother in Montreal, police said. Later, he allegedly reported two men in a "suspicious white van" had taken Melina Frattolin from his vehicle.