Jor'Dynn Duncan was taken to the hospital unconscious on the morning of December 29, 2025 where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy determined she died from a massive untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries. In total, the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office documented approximately 90 injuries on her body at the time of her death.
Those findings prompted an investigation that led to the arrest of three women: 50-year-old Emily Kelly, 75-year-old Barbara Renner and 24-year-old Elyssa Seymore.
Prosecutors allege that Duncan was tortured and abused before she died.
"This was not an alleged single act of violence. It was months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, meticulously documented," said District Attorney Raymond Tierney. "The child was allegedly left to die while these defendants watched her deteriorate. No child should ever endure such horror, and we will seek justice for Jor'Dynn."
Officials say Kelly is the fiancé of Duncan's father and she gained full custody of the 7-year-old in April 2025 after she was placed with her in December 2024.
Authorities say they discovered extensive evidence on Kelly's phone dating back to January 2025 that documented abuse and torture of the child, including prolonged restraint, physical injuries, and lack of medical care for those injuries.
After her death, it was revealed that the victim missed approximately 40 days of school between January and June 2025. Prosecutors say Kelly lied about different excuses to allegedly cover up the abuse.
Kelly was arraigned Wednesday and charged with murder, unlawful imprisonment and reckless endangerment among other charges.
Her mother, Renner, was charged with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. Kelly's daughter, Seymore, was charged with unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
All three women are due back in court on June 23.
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