Authorities reported that they received a 911 call at around 10 p.m. on Saturday from a father concerned that his daughter, Melina, might have been kidnapped close to Exit 22 on I-87.
The New York State Police stated that Melina and her father arrived legally in the U.S. on July 11 from Canada for a vacation. Their plan was to go back to Montreal on Sunday, July 20.
Melina resides in a different state with her mother. According to police, her parents have been separated since 2019. Surveillance footage captured Melina with her father in Saratoga Springs approximately at 5:30 p.m., and she had a phone conversation with her mother around 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday morning, authorities searched an area in the upstate town of Ticonderoga—near the Vermont border—where the father was believed to have been with Melina.
The motive remains under investigation, officials said. Police noted that the father has no criminal record or history of domestic violence. They also said the vacation included stops in Connecticut and New York City.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guests
- Dr. Chloe Carmichael – Clinical Psychologist, Author: ‘Nervous Energy: Harness The Power of Your Anxiety;’ X: @DrChloe, drchloe.com
- Dan Murphy-Former NYPD Detective-Sergeant, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Former Chief Security Officer, US Bancorp, Co-Host of “Gold Shields” Podcast, and Author: “Workplace Safety: Establishing an Effective Violence Prevention Program”
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Luciano Frattolin Essex County Jail and Melina Frattolin/Police Handout]
