After Ex-Cop Michael Valva found guilty of abuse of both of his sons and death of Thomas, age 8, questions about how to report urgent...
Such a difficult set of events to consider, that went on for months and even years. Where is one to begin to try to make any sense of what happened?
How important for every parent to want to have many 'back up systems' to monitor their children's lives for safety and appropriate people in every part of their lives. Also best to not have youths babysit at homes without their own support system in place (ideally going with the youth or even young adult since too many times 'boundaries are broken.'
Too many young women particularly are vulnerable for an assault from someone that should be trustworthy but proves they are not, maybe after grooming a victim or maybe with little warning or when transporting a sitter. In modern times it's helpful to 'err on the side of caution' but really looking to make a more social event of caring for children makes sense on many levels, with a Mom and teen daughter for instance going to care for a neighbor's child.
Just a thought as this more difficult and thankfully not common (but not necessarily rare either in terms of abuse even if not dying from the harm. Mentally and emotionally there could be ongoing struggles and trauma.
Young American heroic brothers Anthony and Thomas Valva were severely neglected and made to sleep in an unheated garage in the winter, January of 2020, in Long Island NY. They were being forced against their mother's pleas in years of custody battles to stay for months with their biological father, Michael Valva and his fiance, Angela Pollina who both are being tried for second-degree murder charges.
The defense attorney for Michael Valva argued that Angela had control over how things went in the home regarding the mistreatment of the boys, both who were autistic. The defense attorney said Angela also had a lover living in the home (but not clear if he was there the final day of abuse.)
The mother of the boys, including her third son Andrew, Justyna, fought to state concerns of abuse and danger. The judge simply dismissed her concerns.
The father Michael apparently had a lot of anger issues and was abusing the children if they had said they loved their mother or wanted to be with her. He tragically beat Thomas in his final moments of hanging onto life though freezing. https://youtu.be/rBm8AHeeq5Y has harrowing accounts of the suffering the children were put through in this home.
There were 17 reports by concerned school and other parties. However the judge would not budge from having the children stay at their father's 'home' (or more aptly called, torture chamber.)
CPS (Child Protective Services) has 60 days to make a determination about the allegations. Actions can range from working with the family to keep them together to putting the children in foster care.
While the hotline is the official way to start an investigation into suspected child abuse or neglect, police say you should always call 911 in an emergency situation.
The 24-hour hotline number is 1-800-342-3720 in NY with a call to Albany NY to be registered. From there CPS in the county is informed and has to make contact with the family within 24 hours, and then has 7 days to do a safety assessment. If concerns are found those must be documented and investigate over the next two months.
