Long Island lawmakers sue to get access to documents in boy's freezing death

Thursday, March 4, 2021
SUFFOLK COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) -- Legislators in Suffolk County investigating the death of an 8-year-old boy who froze to death in a garage are taking legal action to get access to documents.

Thomas Valva died more than a year ago in February of 2020.

His father, NYPD Officer Michael Valva, and Angela Pollina, are accused of leaving the 8-year-old in a freezing garage overnight, causing him to die of hypothermia.

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Assistant District Attorney Kerriann Kelly had previously detailed the series of allegations of physical and mental abuse towards Thomas, including throwing him down the stairs, locking him in a bedroom without a bathroom, depriving him of food, beating him with closed fists, and pulling hair from his head.

Now, members with the Legislative Investigative Committee are demanding a court force the Commissioner of Social Services to release the documents in question.

They say they can't provide oversight of Suffolk's CPS system if that don't have the facts of a case.

The Valva family had a long history with CPS.

Valva and Pollina each face 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Valva resigned from the NYPD in October of 2020 as he awaits trial.

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