2 LI Women Charged With Child Neglect, Stolen VA Rental Car: Sheriff

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Two Lindenhurst women were arrested and charged after one surrendered for absconding with her son to Florida, and for stealing a rental car from Virginia, and a string of other charges, Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. announced.

On Aug. 26, Joy Portelli, 54, absconded with one of her sons on a flight to Orlando, Florida from MacArthur Airport, according to an investigation. Portelli is the child's noncustodial parent.

On Sept. 19, Portelli was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, by the William City Police Department for brandishing a firearm, officials said.

At the time of her arrest, Portelli was operating a Grey 2022 Chrysler Pacifica with Illinois plates, which was subsequently reported stolen from an Avis Car Rental, out of Roanoke, Virginia, officials said.

Portelli was also with her son and her friend, Jodi Ann Harrigan, 54, at the time of the arrest.

Her son was left in the custody of Harrigan, who informed the William City police that she would turn over custody of the child to his uncle, Christopher Orthodoxon.

Orthodoxon was also the person who rented the Chrysler Pacifica that Portelli was operating at the time of Portelli's arrest, police said.

Portelli was released on the payment of $1,500 bail later the same day.

On Sept. 20, Joseph Portelli, husband of Joy Portelli and father of the child, appeared in Suffolk County Family Court in front of the Honorable Matthew Hughes.

Judge Hughes issued an order of protection for Joy Portelli to stay away from both of her minor sons.

He also issued a Temporary Order of Custody, naming Joseph Portelli as the custodial parent of both children, and a Family Court arrest warrant for Joy Portelli for child neglect, officials said.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office then featured Joy Portelli in a “Fugitive Friday” social media post which led to her self-surrender on Oct. 19.

Meanwhile, Warrant Squad investigators canvassed the First District Court parking lot and located the stolen Chrysler Pacifica, which was occupied by Jodi Ann Harrigan.

Harrigan was then arrested by investigators and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, officials said.

Portelli was additionally charged with third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, officials said.

The subject vehicle was impounded as evidence at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Impound Section in Westhampton.

Portelli appeared in Family Court and was released on her own recognizance. Her son was released to the custody of his father.

Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. noted the complexity of this case and the interagency communication that led to the arrests.

"I believe that these arrests are an example of the great work performed by Investigators of the Warrant Squad and are a testimony to the effectiveness of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office 'Fugitive Friday; social media campaign," said Toulon. "I commend my Deputies for their hard work and thank them for returning this child safely to his father."