Luciano Frattolin was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of his nine-year-old daughter, Melina, in New York. The judge rejected a motion to set aside the verdict, and the defense has filed an appeal.
A Montreal man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his nine-year-old daughter and concealing her body in rural New York. Luciano Frattolin, 45, received a sentence of 25 years to life for second-degree murder and a consecutive one- to three-year sentence for concealment of a human corpse.
Judge Tatiana Coffinger delivered the sentence in Essex County Court on Wednesday after rejecting a defence motion to set aside the guilty verdict. Frattolin will not be eligible for parole before 25 years.
During the sentencing, Judge Coffinger addressed Frattolin directly. "The greatest accomplishment of your life could have been to be a great father. That is not what you’re going to be remembered for," she said. She also stated, "I hope, at some point in your life, you realize what you have done."
Frattolin declined to address the court and maintained his innocence. His lawyers issued a notice of appeal following the sentence. He will remain at the Essex County Jail before being moved to a Department of Corrections facility.
The conviction stems from events in July 2025, when Melina Frattolin was killed in Ticonderoga, New York, while on a road trip with her father. The girl had been living in Montreal with her mother.
On the night they were scheduled to return to Canada, Frattolin called 911, reporting that his daughter had been kidnapped after he stopped his car on the side of the road. This report led to an AMBER Alert. Hours later, Melina’s body was found near a pond in Ticonderoga, covered with a rock.
During the three-week trial, the defence argued that local police had not adequately investigated the kidnapping claims. However, the prosecution used car location data, cellphone data, and surveillance camera footage to recreate Frattolin’s movements and prove his story was false. Prosecutors also presented notes Frattolin wrote mentioning "ending the madness" and making a decision about Melina, whom he claimed was mentally ill.
The jury deliberated for one hour on Aug. 10 before finding Frattolin guilty.
Essex County District Attorney Michael Langey read a statement from the family outside the courthouse. "We continue to suffer deeply since the day Melina was brutally murdered. Nothing can bring Melina back, but we are relieved that this chapter is over," the statement said.
Langey expressed satisfaction with the sentence but called for changes in New York’s criminal justice system. He noted that children are not currently listed in categories that elevate murder to first-degree, which carries longer sentences and no parole eligibility. "If you kill certain types of people, it elevates it to first-degree murder. Children aren't listed in those categories, so as a result of this, maybe that can be changed," Langey said.
This case highlights the legal consequences of child homicide in New York and the specific sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder. It also underscores the role of digital evidence, such as cellphone and car data, in disproving false kidnapping reports during criminal trials. The District Attorney’s comments point to ongoing legislative discussions regarding the classification of child murder under state law.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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