The ‘Teachers Of Autistic Boy Frozen To Death In Unheated Garage ‘Flooded CPS With Calls’’ A New York principal testified this week in connection with the death of Thomas Valva, a Suffolk County boy allegedly abused and killed by his father, Michael Valva, whose currently on trial for the child’s murder.
Teachers Of Autistic Boy Frozen To Death In Unheated Garage ‘Flooded CPS With Calls’
East Moriches Elementary School Principal Edward Schneyer testified Tuesday that six children from the Valva and the Polina family (Angela Pollina is Thomas’ stepmother at the time of his death and Michael Valva’s wife) attended the school. Schneyer said he knew the family well including Thomas and his 10-year-old brother, Anthony, who were both autistic.
Schneyer said that within the span of one school year, Thomas’ brother Anthony lost around 20 pounds, adding that their food had been monitored. Further, according to News12 the Bronx, both children were initially potty trained when they started school but both eventually started attending classes in pull-up training diapers.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 43-year-old Michael Valva told a 911 dispatcher on January 17, 2020, that Thomas had fallen on his face and lost consciousness.
Valva, however, allegedly forced Thomas to sleep in an unheated garage in sub-freezing temperatures at their Long Island home, ultimately leading to the child’s death. The boy allegedly had no mattress and was forced to sleep on the bare concrete floor.
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Thomas was pronounced dead at the Long Island Community Hospital on January 17, 2020, at around 10:28 a.m.
Both boys would frequently arrive at school covered in cuts and bruises, according to Schneyer. Meanwhile, according to Schneyer, the boys’ behavior started to shift. Michael Valva threatened to sue the school for harassment after it “flooded CPS with calls” regarding worries for the kids.
John LoTurco, Michael Valva’s defense attorney, told the court that Michael never intended for his son to die and is not guilty of murder despite any claims of negligence.
“Everyone needs to concentrate on the depraved murder charge rather than the neglect or child endangerment charges. There isn’t any proof that Mr. Valva wanted his child to pass away.
Earlier this month, prosecutors told the jury last week that Thomas and Anthony suffered years of abuse at the hands of their father, often arriving at school with bruises and scratching — and hungry.
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“They were observed at school literally eating crumbs off the floor,” assistant Suffolk County District Attorney Laura Newcombe said.
Newcombe also related a text Valva sent to his now ex-fiancée, 45-year-old Angela Pollina.
“I will beat them until they bleed,” he wrote, according to Newcombe. “It is the only thing that works.”
Valva’s attorney laid the blame at Pollina’s feet, saying she constantly told him he was being too lenient with the boys and that Valva was desperate to make things work. He painted her as the wicked stepmother.
“You are making it too comfortable for them,” she allegedly told Valva, according to attorney Anthony La Pinta. “Let them be uncomfortable. That will teach them to control themselves.”
Valva, La Pinta said during his opening statement, “never ever thought that either of his boys could die from being in that garage,” WCBS reported.
Again, Lambert said during testimony on Thursday, Valva was emotionless when he went to the hospital to visit his kid.
No tears were shed. When the suspect saw his son in a bed at a Long Island hospital, Lamber recalled, “There was no emotion.
“Someone, a staff person, entered the room and inquired as to whether he needed a chair, a drink, or to make a phone call. No, I’ve been in more stressful situations, he remarked as he turned around.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
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