Published October 14, 2026 at 12:07 PM EDT

A Montreal man was sentenced Wednesday morning to 25 years to life for the murder of his daughter in the Adirondacks last summer.

An Essex County jury convicted Luciano Frattolin in August for killing his 9-year-old Melina and hiding her body under a rock in a pond near Ticonderoga.

As she sentenced Frattolin Wednesday morning, Judge Tatiana Coffinger said he has never taken responsibility for his actions.

“Mr. Frattolin, you live in a world of self-made delusion of wealth and image. When the greatest accomplishment of your life could have been to be a great father that is not what you are going to be remembered for. I hope at some point in your life you realize what you have done and what you have done to a family and moreover how you let down your daughter.”

During the sentencing, defense attorneys noted that Frattolin has maintained his innocence, but Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey says the jury saw through Frattolin’s lies.

“He really was a person that didn’t want to be a father anymore. He killed his daughter and he hoped to just move on and start a new life. I believe that’s why he did it, and to punish the mother as far as the people’s theory of why he did it.”

Family members declined to speak during the sentencing, but outside the courthouse Essex County District Attorney Michael Langey said the family asked him to read a letter.

"It says that: “We continue to suffer deeply since the day that Melina was brutally murdered. Nothing can bring Melina back but we are relieved that this chapter is over. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who worked on the case. Your efforts helped bring a measure of justice for our family.” They wanted to end by saying: “please respect our wish for privacy as we continue to grieve the unbearable loss of our beloved Melina.”

Frattolin was remanded to the Essex County sheriff pending transfer to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He was also sentenced to a consecutive 1 to 3 years for concealment of a human body.

Frattolin is eligible for parole in 25 years and is appealing his conviction.

Judge Tatiana Coffinger also imposed an order of protection for Melina’s mother for a period of 25 years and told Frattolin not to reach out to family members.