RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Angela Pollina was found guilty on all counts Friday in the death of 8-year-old Thomas Valva, her ex-fiance's son.
The Suffolk County jury handed down the guilty verdict just after six hours of deliberations, convicting Pollina, 45, of second-degree murder and four counts of child endangerment.
Prosecutors said Thomas and his brother Anthony, who were both on the autism spectrum, lived a horrific life of abuse inside the couple’s Center Moriches home.
Thomas died in January 2020, a day after sleeping in the garage of the family's home as temperatures dropped below 20 degrees.
After the boys' repeated bathroom issues, Pollina testified in court that she had insisted to the boys' father, Michael Valva, 43, that his sons stay in the garage.
A medical examiner ruled the boy's death a homicide and found that hypothermia was a major contributing factor.
Michael Valva, a former NYPD officer, was convicted at trial last year and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for Thomas' death.
Pollina now faces 25 years to life in prison. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 11.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related
Related
Related
