Autopsy Reveals What Happened to Missing Child in Upstate New York

Police have released the preliminary autopsy results for the 9-year-old child who was found dead on Sunday in Upstate New York.

The New York State Police have released the preliminary autopsy results for 9-year-old Melina Frattolin, who was tragically found dead on Sunday in Ticonderoga, NY, after she was reportedly abducted near Lake George, NY.

Child Abducted in Lake George, NY

Back on Sunday, we learned that 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, placed a call to 911 stating that his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, had reportedly gone missing and was possibly abducted. Frattolin told 911 that she was possibly abducted in the area of Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, New York, and was last seen in a white van, which was heading southbound on the Northway.

Police later uncovered inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided, which led to an investigation and a gruesome discovery.

Missing Child Found Dead in Upstate New York

Late Sunday night, the New York State Police (NYSP) announced that the 9-year-old was found deceased in the woods in Ticonderoga, New York.

On Monday, authorities conducted an autopsy on the young girl, with the preliminary results reportedly showing that the manner of death was determined to be a homicide and that her cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.

Father Charged in Child Murder

Soon after, the NYSP announced that Luciano Frattolin was in custody and had been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. Court documents allege that he hid the child's body under a log in a shallow part of a pond.

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He pleaded not guilty.

Did You See This Vehicle?

As the investigation continues, the New York State Police are hoping that the public can help them locate the whereabouts of the vehicle the father and daughter traveled in from July 11th to July 19th.

Authorities are specifically looking for additional video evidence or eyewitness accounts of the 2024 gray Toyota Prius (pictured above) in the area of the I-87 Northway between Exits 28 (North Schroon Lake: US 9, NY 74 to Ticonderoga) through Exit 20 (Fort Ann, Queensbury, Lake George, NY 149 & US 9)

If you have any information, please call 518-873-2750 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.