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Memorial Signs Honor Slain Girl in NY Town
28 Jul
Summary
- Road signs memorialize Melina Frattolin in Ticonderoga, NY.
- The signs are part of a highway adoption program.
- Melina's father faces murder charges in her death.
A year after the tragic death of nine-year-old Melina Frattolin, a small community in Upstate New York is honoring her memory with roadside tributes. Local resident Bridgette Cruz initiated the placement of reflective signs, bearing the dedication "Friends of Melina Frattolin," along a stretch of Route 74 in Ticonderoga.
These signs were established through the Department of Transportation's 'adopt a highway' program, which allows citizens to memorialize individuals while committing to road cleanups. The signs mark a three-kilometer stretch near the marsh where Melina's body was discovered in July 2025.
Melina Frattolin, originally from Montreal, was found after an Amber Alert was issued. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, is currently on trial in Elizabethtown, New York, facing charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a corpse. He has pleaded not guilty, asserting his daughter was kidnapped during a vacation.
The close-knit community of Ticonderoga, despite not knowing Melina personally, was deeply affected by the case. Cruz organized a vigil and sought a lasting memorial, finding it in the highway signage program. The trial is expected to conclude in August 2026.
