Christmas Eve Visit To Grave Of Boy Who Froze To Death In Dad's Garage

CENTER MORICHES, NY — Although former-NYPD Officer Michael Valva was sentenced recently to 25 years to life in prison after he was convicted of murder and endangering the welfare of a child in the death of his 8-year-old son Thomas — the grief lives on for those who say that their lives are forever changed by Thomas' story.

Members of a Facebook page, "Take Action, Justice for Thomas," have followed the trial and found solace as they mourned Thomas death. Now they plan to meet at his grave.

"In honor of our sweet baby’s life taken so soon," some who loved him will gather at his grave on Christmas Eve to say a prayer, said Dina Marrazzo, administrator of the page.

Valva, along with his then-fianceé Angela Pollina — who will have a separate trial, which is slated to begin in February — were arrested Jan. 24, 2020, and charged with second-degree murder and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Each faced 25 years to life in prison.

Thomas and his older brother, both autistic, lived in a "house of horrors," according to Assistand District Attorney Kerriann Kelly. When he died, Thomas' body temperature was 76.1 degrees, 20 degrees lower than normal.

Witnesses, including teachers at Thomas' school, sobbed as they recounted seeing Thomas and his brother starving, cold, with bruises and scratches, and eating crumbs from the floor. The boys were sent to school in urine-cloaked clothing and pullups, they said.

Zubko-Valva pleaded for help on her Twitter page before her son died. In 2020, she filed a $200 million wrongful death suit. In June, a judge ruled that portions of the $200 million lawsuit can move forward, a judge ruled.