Murdered 9-year-old begged not to go on trip with dad months before he allegedly killed her, mom testifies
The mother of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin testified Tuesday that her daughter did not want to travel overseas with her father months before prosecutors say he killed the girl during a summer trip to New York.Kali Galanis told jurors in Essex County Court that her ex-partner, Luciano Frattolin, wanted to take Melina to his native Ethiopia for two weeks in January 2025. But Galanis said the trip never happened after her daughter objected."She didn't want to go," Galanis testified, adding that she also became increasingly uneasy about the proposed trip.CHILD REUNITED WITH MOM AFTER TRANSGENDER DAD, PARTNER ALLEGEDLY KIDNAP ABROAD AMID GENDER SURGERY FEARS: FEDSGalanis' testimony offered jurors a glimpse into the family's disagreements over Melina's travel arrangements and her growing concerns about Frattolin's travel plans with their daughter months before Melina's death.Galanis said she had concerns about allowing Melina to travel internationally with Frattolin after the couple separated in 2019.
Reported by 2 outlets — Fox News Latest, New York Post. See all sources ↓
The mother of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin testified Tuesday that her daughter did not want to travel overseas with her father months before prosecutors say he killed the girl during a summer trip to New York.Kali Galanis told jurors in Essex County Court that her ex-partner, Luciano Frattolin, wanted to take Melina to his native Ethiopia for two weeks in January 2025. But Galanis said the trip never happened after her daughter objected."She didn't want to go," Galanis testified, adding that she also became increasingly uneasy about the proposed trip.CHILD REUNITED WITH MOM AFTER TRANSGENDER DAD, PARTNER ALLEGEDLY KIDNAP ABROAD AMID GENDER SURGERY FEARS: FEDSGalanis' testimony offered jurors a glimpse into the family's disagreements over Melina's travel arrangements and her growing concerns about Frattolin's travel plans with their daughter months before Melina's death.Galanis said she had concerns about allowing Melina to travel internationally with Frattolin after the couple separated in 2019. She testified that her attorney warned her about cases in which estranged parents took children overseas and refused to return them.Galanis testified that Frattolin later proposed extending the Ethiopia trip. She said conversations with Melina about the trip ultimately convinced her to cancel it.MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING PARTNER ARRESTED IN MEXICO NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER FLEEING WITH THEIR TWO CHILDREN"I became uncomfortable," Galanis testified."I was not ok with that anymore," she said of the proposed trip.Instead, Frattolin suggested taking Melina on a vacation through the northeastern United States, Galanis testified.NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ADAM MONTGOMERY'S MURDER CONVICTION IN DAUGHTER HARMONY'S DEATHAuthorities have said Frattolin and Melina traveled through Connecticut and New York before the child was scheduled to return home to Quebec.Prosecutors allege that on the day Melina was scheduled to return home to Quebec, Frattolin falsely reported that she had been abducted by two men in a white van, prompting an Amber Alert.
Read the full report at Fox News Latest ↗
Why it matters
2 outlets are covering this local story — one to watch as reporting develops.
- What's the story?
- The mother of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin testified Tuesday that her daughter did not want to travel overseas with her father months before prosecutors say he killed the girl during a summer trip to New York.Kali Galanis told jurors in Essex County Court that her ex-partner, Luciano Frattolin, wanted to take Melina to his native Ethiopia for two weeks in January 2025. But Galanis said the trip never happened after her daughter objected."She didn't want to go," Galanis testified, adding that she also became increasingly uneasy about the proposed trip.CHILD REUNITED WITH MOM AFTER TRANSGENDER DAD, PARTNER ALLEGEDLY KIDNAP ABROAD AMID GENDER SURGERY FEARS: FEDSGalanis' testimony offered jurors a glimpse into the family's disagreements over Melina's travel arrangements and her growing concerns about Frattolin's travel plans with their daughter months before Melina's death.Galanis said she had concerns about allowing Melina to travel internationally with Frattolin after the couple separated in 2019.
- How widely is it covered?
- 2 outlets, average source rating 5.5/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 11h ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Murdered 9-year-old begged not to go on trip with dad months before he allegedly killed her, mom testifies
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest
- Coverage card1 outlet2CoverageScouting report
Melina Frattolin, 9, drowned in filthy water, investigator reveals — as accused killer dad refuses to look at photos of her body
Sources1TypeCoverageNew York Post