A 9-year-old Canadian girl was found dead in a rural area of upstate New York after her father falsely claimed she had been kidnapped. Authorities have charged the father, 45-year-old Jean-Francois Morin, with second-degree murder following the discovery of the child’s body on his property near Malone, New York.
According to police, Morin initially told Canadian authorities that his daughter had been abducted during a trip to the United States. An Amber Alert was issued, sparking a cross-border search effort. Investigators later determined that the kidnapping claim was fabricated. U.S. law enforcement located the girl’s remains after questioning Morin and uncovering inconsistencies in his story.
Officials have not released the exact cause of death but confirmed the child suffered “traumatic injuries.” The mother, who lives in Quebec, is cooperating with authorities and was not present during the incident. Morin was reportedly in a custody dispute with the child’s mother, leading police to suspect the murder may have been motivated by revenge or desperation over losing parental rights.
Local residents expressed shock at the tragedy, while law enforcement condemned the father’s actions as both “calculated and cruel.” Canadian and U.S. officials are coordinating legal proceedings, and Morin faces possible extradition to Canada for additional charges.
The case highlights growing concerns over parental abduction cases that escalate into violence. Child advocacy groups in both countries are calling for stronger measures to protect children caught in contentious custody battles.
