Father Arrested for the Murder of His 9-Year-Old Daughter Who He Said Was Missing

Canadian Father Arrested After Daughter Found Dead in New York

Authorities reported that New York State Police apprehended a Canadian man following the discovery of his 9-year-old daughter’s body in a pond in upstate New York.

Luciano Fratlin, 45, contacted 911 on Saturday night to report that his daughter, Melina, was missing from Lake George. He expressed concerns for her safety, according to New York State Police Colonel Robert McConnell. The following morning, a ranger discovered Melina’s body in shallow water near Ticonderoga.

Fratlin and his daughter, who lived in Montreal, had crossed into the U.S. for a vacation on July 11. They traveled through Connecticut and New York City before arriving at Lake George. McConnell noted that they were supposed to return to Canada on Sunday, where Melina was to go back to her mother, as her ex-wife had full custody. Fratlin and his wife separated in 2019 but he had permission for the trip.

Surveillance footage showed Melina with her father at a Saratoga Springs restaurant around 5:30 PM on Saturday. An hour later, she had a phone conversation with her mother, and investigators noted that she didn’t seem to be under duress.

According to McConnell, it seems Fratlin might have harmed Melina after speaking with her mother. Following this, he allegedly concealed her body in a remote area.

The cause of death has yet to be determined pending an autopsy.

Concerns arose as investigators found inconsistencies in Fratlin’s account. Initially, he claimed he had stopped to use the restroom near Exit 22 of Lake George and that Melina had left the car. He later changed his story, stating that two unknown men had abducted her in a white van. This lead was thoroughly examined and disproven.

Fratlin faces charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.

Notably, Fratlin does not have any prior criminal record, and officials have not raised any immediate concerns about his mental health.

Shortly after Melina went missing, an Amber Alert was issued, suggesting she might be in serious danger. This alert was canceled around 4:15 PM when her body was found.

McConnell mentioned that the initial details from Fratlin made issuing the alert challenging.

Fratlin is known as the founder of Gambella Coffee, based in Montreal, and had previously referred to Melina as the “light” of his life. He described how she inspired him to be less stringent and allowed for a bit of chaos in their home life.