Angela Pollina: Ex-fiancee of former NYPD cop Michael Valva mocked his autistic son Thomas Valva, 8, who froze to death
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised.
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SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK: Angela Pollina, 45, who is accused in the January 17, 2020 murder of eight-year-old Thomas Valva, screamed and cursed at the autistic boy during “vicious outbursts,” piano teacher Tina Licari testified on Tuesday, February 28. “I would hear almost like zero-to-100 explosion. She’d be screaming,” said the piano teacher, who gave weekly lessons to one of Pollina’s daughters.
The murder trial which began on February 27 over the death of Thomas, who died of hypothermia after being forced to sleep in his father's frigid garage, heard the teacher saying on day two that Angela and her ex-fiance Michael Valva made fun of Thomas’ autism. According to New York Post, they mocked him and shouted when Thomas didn’t answer their questions. They would say, “That’s right because you can’t talk.”
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Michael and his three sons moved with Angela and her three daughters into a home on Bittersweet Lane in Center Moriches, when the abuse of Thomas and his brother, Anthony, 10, began. District Attorney Raymond A Tierney in November 2022 said, "It was clear from all of the evidence, substantial evidence, that she was the dictator of discipline in that household, that she controlled not only Michael, but she also had a lover in that household that lived with her," states People. Thomas' mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, has also filed a $200 million civil suit against Michael, Angela, and other local officials.
Who is Angela Pollina?
Angela is the ex-fiancee of former NYPD officer Michael Valva, who was convicted of second-degree murder for the 2018 death of his son Thomas and is currently serving 25 years to life in prison, reports Independent. This is the second murder trial for the death of the boy. As per New York post, Angela is charged with second-degree murder and child endangerment. If convicted, she faces the same sentence.
As per CBS, the prosecutors called Angela's years of maltreatment towards Thomas "evil, wicked, inhumane, depraved." However, Pollina's attorney, Matthew Tuohy, blamed Michael. He said, "It’s really what happened in the beginning of the day until the tragedy unfolded, and it was the father that was in total control. The end of it unfolded in front of my client. She actually tried to help."
What happened on January 17, 2020?
On the morning of January 17, 2020, police responded to a 911 call at Michael’s home in Center Moriches. "My name is Michael. I'm a police officer with the City of New York. My son, I don't know if he's breathing or not. I don't know if his heart stopped. He fell down on his way to the bus. He banged his head pretty good. I brought him in. I'm doing CPR right now," Michael had placed the call, as per Fox 5, and was performing CPR on the boy when officers and EMTs arrived. However, Thomas was declared dead shortly after at a nearby hospital. Michael lied to the Suffolk police, paramedics, and emergency room staff who treated Thomas by telling them that the boy lost consciousness after falling on his face that morning.
According to News12, Detective Cassidy Lessard of the 7th Precinct was also present in the court and gave her testimony. The officer was one of the first on the scene and described the details of how she discovered Thomas in the garage. According to prosecutors, Thomas and his brother Anthony, 10, were forced to sleep in a freezing garage. Detective Cassidy said that Michael called 911 after his son fell and hit his head. On the other hand, Michael's attorney, Anthony La Pinta, said at that time his ex-fiancee Angela made Michael go through a tough time because of his son's medical and special needs issues. He said Michael was not financially stable and wanted to make things work. He did not think his children would die from the conditions they were living in, stated the outlet. As per a report by Independent, text messages showed that Angela allegedly sent a video of Thomas to Michael before going to bed, and asking whether she should send him to school the next morning. Michael replied, “F*** that piece of s*** Thomas. He’s not going anywhere." According to mother Justyna’s lawsuit, “Tommy’s death was not only foreseeable but completely preventable.”