GUILTY NY - Thomas Valva, 8, autistic, killed, NYPD father & fiancee arrested, Suffolk Co, 17 Jan 2020 *arrests*

A Suffolk County legislative panel investigating the death of 8-year-old Thomas Valva voted Thursday to sue county Social Services Commissioner Frances Pierre to obtain records in the alleged abuse case because the department has not complied with a subpoena for the material.

The three-member committee directed its counsel, Lawrence Jay Braunstein, to file an Article 78 proceeding in state Supreme Court to direct Pierre to comply with the subpoena the panel issued last month.

The social services department has provided some documents, legislative Presiding Officer Robert Calarco (D-Patchogue) said. They include records concerning Child Protective Services caseworkers who investigated complaints against the Valva family, and the department’s corrective action plan following a state review,

But Pierre has refused to provide documents directly related to the Valva case, citing an opinion by the county attorney that state law social services law prevents DSS from turning over the material.

"New York State Social Services Law does not allow County DSS to provide the records being requested to the County Legislature," Derek Poppe, a spokesman for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, said in an email Thursday.

State law makes CPS files confidential in most instances.

A commissioner may release information if a child has died and disclosure would not go against the interests of other children in the household.

Suffolk panel to sue for documents in Thomas Valva case
 
A Suffolk County legislative panel investigating the death of 8-year-old Thomas Valva voted Thursday to sue county Social Services Commissioner Frances Pierre to obtain records in the alleged abuse case because the department has not complied with a subpoena for the material.

The three-member committee directed its counsel, Lawrence Jay Braunstein, to file an Article 78 proceeding in state Supreme Court to direct Pierre to comply with the subpoena the panel issued last month.

The social services department has provided some documents, legislative Presiding Officer Robert Calarco (D-Patchogue) said. They include records concerning Child Protective Services caseworkers who investigated complaints against the Valva family, and the department’s corrective action plan following a state review,

But Pierre has refused to provide documents directly related to the Valva case, citing an opinion by the county attorney that state law social services law prevents DSS from turning over the material.

"New York State Social Services Law does not allow County DSS to provide the records being requested to the County Legislature," Derek Poppe, a spokesman for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, said in an email Thursday.

State law makes CPS files confidential in most instances.

A commissioner may release information if a child has died and disclosure would not go against the interests of other children in the household.

Suffolk panel to sue for documents in Thomas Valva case
Somebody is afraid as they should be. JMO.
 
He "broke down" as he heard his own voice - boofreakinhoo. He broke his own 8 year old son down over and over emotionally, psychologically and physically, so much so that he DIED. Crocodile tears. In my opinion only.
I’m not buying it either. The attorney probably had to teach him how to cry on cue. JMO
 
He "broke down" as he heard his own voice - boofreakinhoo. He broke his own 8 year old son down over and over emotionally, psychologically and physically, so much so that he DIED. Crocodile tears. In my opinion only.

I have no doubt he is crying real tears, for himself. Sad as it is that this little boy is dead, if he was still alive he would be living in fear, misery and pain. The abuse only stops when the child is gone in these homes.
 
Wednesday saw an unexpected twist in the pretrial hearings for the death of 8-year-old Thomas Valva.

Michael Valva's ex-fiancée Angela Pollina did not take the stand to testify, as was expected.

Pollina's attorney says her then-fiancé Michael Valva is responsible for the death of his son Thomas.

A grand jury indictment against Michael Valva and Pollina charged both with second-degree murder. The pair is accused of forcing the boy to spend the night in a freezing garage. The next morning, he was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials say Thomas Valva died of hypothermia.

Michael Valva's attorney says it's Pollina who was the "evil stepmother" and made Thomas sleep in their freezing Center Moriches garage last year.

Michael Valva's ex-fiancée opts to avoid testifying in pretrial hearings for son's death
 
Ex-NYPD cop Michael Valva and his former fiancée are blaming each other in the death of his 8-year-old son — and they want separate trials to prove it, their lawyers said Wednesday.

“She was in charge of the children. She was the disciplinarian in the relationship,” LoTurco told reporters outside Suffolk County Supreme Court, where pre-trial hearings in the case have been held for more than a week. “She had control over the surveillance video.”

LoTurco insinuated that Pollina was manipulative.

“Michael Valva really was meek,” he said. “He was passive in the responsibility of the children — that she controlled the children. She actually controlled Michael Valva himself.”

In court earlier Wednesday, Touhy ultimately decided to not allow Pollina to testify in the pre-trial hearings — despite her wanting to take the stand.

During the hearing, Judge William Condon asked Pollina whether she agreed with her lawyer’s decision.

“After carefully reviewing the risks … he has made the tactical decision not to call you as a witness. Do you agree with this decision?” the judge asked.

“Yes,” Pollina responded in a clear voice, her once-long brunette locks now gray.

A more weathered-looking Valva sat across from her but the two didn’t appear to look at each other during the proceedings.

Ex-NYPD cop, former lover blame each other in child's death
 
Ex-NYPD cop Michael Valva and his former fiancée are blaming each other in the death of his 8-year-old son — and they want separate trials to prove it, their lawyers said Wednesday.

“She was in charge of the children. She was the disciplinarian in the relationship,” LoTurco told reporters outside Suffolk County Supreme Court, where pre-trial hearings in the case have been held for more than a week. “She had control over the surveillance video.”

LoTurco insinuated that Pollina was manipulative.

“Michael Valva really was meek,” he said. “He was passive in the responsibility of the children — that she controlled the children. She actually controlled Michael Valva himself.”

In court earlier Wednesday, Touhy ultimately decided to not allow Pollina to testify in the pre-trial hearings — despite her wanting to take the stand.

During the hearing, Judge William Condon asked Pollina whether she agreed with her lawyer’s decision.

“After carefully reviewing the risks … he has made the tactical decision not to call you as a witness. Do you agree with this decision?” the judge asked.

“Yes,” Pollina responded in a clear voice, her once-long brunette locks now gray.

A more weathered-looking Valva sat across from her but the two didn’t appear to look at each other during the proceedings.

Ex-NYPD cop, former lover blame each other in child's death

Fine. No reasonable doubt for me. Put them both away.

If this is their planned defense, point the finger at the other one...no go for me. Have them tried together, all cozy at the defense table, blaming each other.

Then, why didn't the other one leave? Don't say it.."Hedda Nussbaum"! Ugh.
 
Interesting. I have wondered about when electronic equipment used in the home could be used against the people in the home. What does Alexa know about us?

We have 3 of them in our house. They completely creep me out, but my early 20's kids-still-at-home all love them.
To me?
They're way too invasive.

Helpful for catching criminals, sure. Still... creepy.

jmo
 

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