Father in custody after 9-year-old girl found dead in upstate NY kidnapping hoax

A 9‑year‑old Canadian girl, Melina Galanis Frattolin, reported kidnapped in upstate New York, was found dead Sunday near the New York‑Vermont border. Authorities revealed she had not been abducted and found inconsistencies in her father Luciano Frattolin’s story. An Amber Alert and extensive search were launched after the father’s initial claim, but he was arrested in connection with her death, ABC 7 has reported. The investigation is ongoing, and details about the cause of death or charges have not been released.