9-Year-Old Melina Frattolin Found Dead in New York After Amber Alert; Father’s Story Questioned

NEW YORK — A tragic turn of events has shaken New York State after 9-year-old Melina Frattolin, initially believed to have been abducted, was found dead on Sunday—just one day after her father reported her missing.

Melina was the subject of a regional Amber Alert issued late Saturday night after her father, Luciano Frattolin, contacted police around 10 p.m., claiming his daughter had been kidnapped. The alert spurred a large-scale search operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteers from surrounding communities.

However, on Sunday, authorities made a chilling discovery: Melina’s body was located approximately 35 miles away from where she was first reported missing. The exact location has not been publicly disclosed.

In a statement issued shortly after the discovery, the New York State Police said:

“At this time, there is no indication that an abduction occurred, and there is no threat to the public.”

Officials also revealed that there were “inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided.” Those discrepancies have shifted the case from a suspected kidnapping to a developing death investigation, with her father’s role now under scrutiny.

From Urgent Search to Unimaginable Loss

The Amber Alert prompted immediate concern across the region, with social media users and community members sharing Melina’s photo and details late into the night. That hope turned into horror as news broke of her death less than 24 hours later.

Melina, described by those who knew her as a kind and imaginative child, was a fourth-grader who loved drawing, reading, and caring for animals.

“She was full of joy, always smiling,” said one neighbor. “We can’t believe she’s gone. This is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Counselors have been made available at her school, where staff and classmates are struggling to come to terms with the news. Flowers, stuffed animals, and handmade cards have begun piling up outside the school building in her memory.

Father’s Statement Under Review

Luciano Frattolin’s original account prompted the urgent Amber Alert. However, authorities now say the timeline and narrative he offered are not supported by evidence.

While no arrests have been made as of Sunday evening, officials confirmed the investigation is active and evolving.

“We are continuing to conduct interviews and examine all evidence,” a police spokesperson said. “More information will be provided in a formal briefing on Monday.”

The medical examiner is expected to perform an autopsy to determine Melina’s exact cause of death.

A Community Grieves, and Demands Answers

In Melina’s hometown, grief and outrage have quickly grown. Many residents, shaken by the initial alert and devastated by its conclusion, are now seeking justice.

“She was only 9 years old,” one resident said at a makeshift candlelight vigil held Sunday night. “Someone needs to be held accountable for this.”

While authorities have assured the public that there is no broader threat, the deeply emotional impact of the tragedy has left the region in mourning—and waiting for clarity.

Awaiting  Briefing

State police confirmed that a detailed update would be delivered on Monday, possibly including charges or the official autopsy results.

Until then, questions remain: What happened to Melina Frattolin between the time she was reported missing and the moment she was found? Why was her father’s account unreliable? And who, if anyone, will be held responsible?

Remembering Melina

As candles flicker outside homes and schools, New York mourns a little girl taken too soon. Her memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved her—and in the public’s call for truth and justice.