Amber Alert Update: Search Intensifies for Missing 8-Year-Old in Houston—Critical Details & How to Help Now

Early-Morning Amber Alert Sends Urgent Search Across Warren County, NY An Amber Alert is in force for 9-year-old Melina Frattolin after witnesses reported she was forced into a white panel van on southbound I-87 near Exit 22 in Lake George at approximately 7:40 p.m. Saturday night. What We Know So Far • Victim: Melina Frattolin, Indian female, 9 years old, 4'6", 80 lbs, brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. • Clothing: blue-and-white striped T-shirt, denim shorts, white Adidas sneakers. • Suspect Vehicle: unmarked white cargo van, possible New York plates, last seen heading south on the Adirondack Northway. • Danger Level: “Imminent risk of serious injury or death,” according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Why Every Minute Matters New York’s Amber Alert protocol activates only when police confirm a child under 18 has been abducted and faces immediate danger. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 94 percent of children recovered through Amber Alerts are found within the first 72 hours, underscoring the urgency of rapid public participation. How You Can Help • Look for the listed vehicle and child description while driving on I-87, US-9, and surrounding routes. • Check doorbell cameras, dashcams, and outdoor security footage between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Saturday for any glimpse of a white van in the Lake George–Queensbury corridor. • Report tips immediately to 518-743-2501 or dial 911. Even small details such as partial plate numbers, bumper stickers, or unique damage on the van can accelerate the search. Understanding the Amber Alert System Launched statewide in 2002, New York’s Amber Alert network broadcasts messages through highway signs, radio, television, and wireless emergency alerts. Once police verify criteria, data are pushed to law-enforcement databases, media outlets, and tens of millions of cell phones within minutes—turning every driver and bystander into a potential lifesaver. Child-Safety Reminder for Parents • Teach young children memorization of parent phone numbers and how to dial 911. • Keep recent photos and a descriptive record (height, weight, distinguishing marks) easy to access. • Establish clear pick-up plans to reduce vulnerability to “family-friend” abduction scenarios. Stay Updated Authorities will release new information as surveillance video, license-plate readers, and eyewitness reports are analyzed. Follow verified feeds from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and local news stations for real-time developments—not social-media rumors. If You Spot Melina or the Van Do not approach the vehicle or suspect. Note location, direction of travel, and distinguishing features; then call 911. Your timely call could be the factor that brings Melina Frattolin home safely.