Father Arrested After Body of 9-Year-Old Canadian Girl Found in New York 

In a horrific update, New York State Police discovered the body of nine-year-old Melina Galanis Partolin in Ticonderoga, approximately 45 km north of Lake George today hours after her father, Luciano Galanis, falsely reported her kidnapping.

The 45-year-old Canadian father’s claim triggered a large-scale search operation in the Lake George area, a popular tourist destination in the Adirondacks, but authorities now say no abduction occurred, citing “inconsistencies” in his account and timeline.

Luciano called 911 at around 10:30 PM on Saturday (July 19) claiming Melina was abducted from a rest stop along Interstate 87 near Lake George at approximately 9:40 PM. He told police they had stopped at the rest area for a restroom break when the alleged kidnapping took place. He described Melina as wearing light-colored shorts, a blue-and-white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers.

The New York State Police issued an Amber Alert, warning of “immediate danger” to the girl’s life, and mobilized multiple agencies, including local police, state troopers, and search-and-rescue teams, to comb the area.The search focused on the Lake George region, known for its scenic lakeside and heavy summer tourist traffic, with authorities distributing Melina’s description to the public via media and social media.

Photos shared on social networks showed Melina, a Canadian resident, alongside her father, prompting widespread concern. However, after locating her body in Ticonderoga, a small town near the Vermont border, investigators determined there was no evidence of an abduction. A police statement released overnight, noted “significant inconsistencies” in Luciano’s account of events and the timeline he provided, raising questions about his version of the story.While police have not yet clarified whether Luciano is a suspect, the investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding Melina’s death.

The Ticonderoga Police Department and New York State Police are coordinating with Canadian authorities, as Melina and her father resided in Canada, though their specific hometown was not disclosed. The cause of death has not been publicly released, pending an autopsy at a regional medical examiner’s office.

The New York Post provided this update:

"The father of a 9-year-old Canadian tourist found dead in upstate New York was arrested early Monday and charged with her murder.

Luciano Frattolin was booked into Essex County Jail at 2:04 a.m. after his daughter, Melina, was found dead in shallow water in Ticonderoga near Lake George on Sunday afternoon.

The dad, who was accused of earlier filing a bogus kidnapping report, was charged with second-degree murder, officials announced."