9-year-old Canadian tourist Melina Frattolin found dead in NY after dad claimed she was kidnapped: cops

9-year-old Canadian tourist Melina Frattolin found dead in NY after dad claimed she was kidnapped: cops

A 9-year-old Canadian tourist was found dead in upstate New York Sunday afternoon — hours after an apparently bogus kidnapping report from her father, cops said.

Melina Galanis Frattolin’s body was recovered in Ticonderoga, New York – roughly 30 miles away from Lake George, where her father originally reported she was last seen.

Photo of Melina Galanis Frattolin, a 9-year-old girl.
Melina Galanis Frattolin was found dead in Ticonderoga, New York.New York State Police

Authorities had issued an amber alert citing her “imminent danger” of being harmed or killed earlier Sunday.

However, there was apparently no real abduction during the entire ordeal, authorities said.

Melina’s father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, called the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 9:58 p.m. Saturday evening reporting his daughter’s disappearance, noting a possible abduction, according to police.

Both Frattolins are residents of Canada, according to the New York State Police

While the WCSO was leading the investigation, authorities found “inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided,” according to the NYSP.

The investigation was soon turned over to the NYSP “due to jurisdictional considerations.”

Photo of Melina Galanis Frattolin, a missing 9-year-old girl.
Police activated an amber alert for Melina around four hours after she was reported missing.New York State Police

The NYSP determined that there was no indication of an abduction.

On Sunday morning, State Police activated an amber alert for Melina around four hours after she was reported missing along with a description. It was later cancelled at 4:18 p.m.

“The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death,” the alert read.

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