On Friday (local time), a jury found a former New York City police officer guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his 8-year-old son, who was made to spend the night on the cold garage floor.
Michael Valva was found guilty on four charges of endangering children and could receive a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in prison. Thomas Valva died in January 2020, the day after sleeping in the garage in the family’s Long Island home in temperatures that dropped under minus 6C.
After a month of testimony, the decision was reached on Friday after the first day of deliberations.
The youngster died from homicide, and the medical examiner determined that hypothermia was a significant contributing factor. According to the prosecution, Thomas and his 10-year-old brother were both autistic and frequently had to sleep in the garage.
According to prosecutors, the boys spent 16 consecutive hours in the freezing garage leading up to the 8-year-old’s death, Newsday reported.
Michael Valva is accused of lying to the police and emergency personnel after failing to assist the youngster as he died in front of him, according to the prosecution.
The abuse and starvation of the two youngsters led to the child endangerment counts. Their teachers allegedly claimed in the media that the boys frequently came to school so hungry that they ate crumbs off the floor and had bruises.
Despite the fact that there is nothing we can do to bring Thomas back, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney expressed satisfaction with the jury’s verdict in a statement. “Michael Valva brutally abused, neglected, and mistreated his sons. He has now been made to pay for ending the life of a young, defenceless youngster who still had a lifetime ahead of him.
Angela Pollina, Valva’s former fiancée, is currently in jail while she awaits trial on charges of second-degree murder and endangering children.
She entered a not-guilty plea.
The 8-year-old son of a US ex-cop who was convicted of murder slept on cold concrete.
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