By Canadian Press

Grand jury indicts dad of slain Montreal girl for murder, accused pleads not guilty

Jul 30, 2025 | 9:10 AM

ELIZABETHTOWN — A grand jury has indicted the father of a nine-year-old Montreal girl found dead in New York state for murder.

Luciano Frattolin appeared before Judge Tatiana Coffinger today in Elizabethtown, N.Y., and pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and the concealment of a human corpse.

Melina Frattolin, 9, was found drowned in a shallow pond on July 20 in Ticonderoga, N.Y., by the Vermont boundary.

Police have said Frattolin originally reported his daughter missing and potentially abducted, but officers determined the story to be false.

A spokeswoman for the district attorney confirmed that Frattolin’s case was presented to a grand jury, which returned a true bill of indictment.

B.C. LEADERSHIP RACE

Langley-Abbotsford MLA considers run for BC Conservative leadership

2h ago

Traffic alert Friday

B.C. govt. urges people not to travel if at all possible, citing heavy traffic on Hwy. 7

3h ago

RETAIL THEFT

Police arrest four alleged shoplifters in one hour in Maple Ridge store

3h ago

The 45-year-old Frattolin was remanded without bail and will return to court on Aug. 19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.

The Canadian Press