A former cop, Michael Valva, called 911 to ask for help about his son, Thomas, who had fallen and hit his head. Little did he know the truth behind his son’s death will be revealed.
The boy died due to the maltreatment of Valva when he forced his child to sleep in the garage without any protection from the cold. Valva faces life imprisonment for murder.
The former cop, Valva, had routinely abused Thomas and his 10-year-old brother, Anthony, according to evidence presented at his trial. According to the New York Post, Thomas was so malnourished that he ate crumbs from the ground at school, which alarmed school administrators, who contacted Child Protective Services several times.
According to CNN, Valva forced both of his sons to sleep for months in the freezing garage. Thomas and Anthony, who are on the autism spectrum, lacked heat, bathroom access, blankets, and mattresses.
Thomas soiled himself while sleeping in the garage on January 17, 2020. Valva dragged his son outside, hosed him down despite the cold winter temperatures, and did not render aid when Thomas collapsed and fell onto the concrete patio multiple times, according to surveillance footage.
He called 911 after an hour and lied about what had happened.
Michael Valva introduced himself as an NYPD police officer. He then mentioned his son had stopped breathing after he collapsed while waiting for the school bus.
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Thomas’ body temperature was 76 degrees at the hospital, which was 20 degrees lower than normal. He died, and a paramedic who attempted to save his life later testified that Valva showed no emotional conflict when the incident happened.
Valva expressed regret for what had occurred during his sentencing.
