Ticonderoga, NY (WRGB) — A man is facing murder charges in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, who was the subject of an AMBER Alert over the weekend. Authorities now believe, Melina Galanis Frattolin, was never truly missing, and that her father, Luciano Frattolin staged the entire disappearance to cover up her death.

The father of the 9-year-old girl found dead in Ticonderoga after being reported missing is in police custody. According to the VINE Database, Luciano Frattolin, 45, is being held at the Essex County Jail.

A Canadian man was charged with murder in the death of his 9-year-old daughter in upstate New York, authorities said. Her body was found in a shallow pond.

An AMBER AERT has been issued, 9-year-old child MELINA FRATTOLIN, Indian female, brown hair, wearing shorts, blue and white striped shirt, and white Adidas sne

The charges Luciano Frattolin faces were not immediately available, but records show he was booked early Monday at the Essex County jail

A 9-year-old girl reported missing in Lake George on Saturday night, July 19, has been found dead, and her father is in custody. What we know now.

Police sent an alert to people's phones saying Melina Galanis Frattolin was last seen southbound in a white van on I-87 near exit 22 at 9:40 p.m. Saturday.

A man whose 9-year-old daughter was found dead in a wooded pond after he reported that she had been abducted while they were they were vacationing in upstate New York was charged Monday with murder.

New York State Police have charged a Canadian father with murdering his 9-year-old daughter and disposing of her body in a wooded area.

The search for Melina Frattolin ended in tragedy Sunday after state police found her body in Ticonderoga, New York.