'Justice For Thomas Valva': Crowd Rallies At 'March For Change'

EAST ISLIP, NY — Chanting "No more silence," "Shame on the system" and "We're here for you, Justyna," hundreds of people turned out Saturday for a rally called March for Change (Honoring the Life of Thomas Valva) at Heckscher State Park in East Islip.

The event was organized by Specialized Autism Support & Information (SASI) to remember Thomas, 8, who police said died after he was forced to sleep overnight in a frigid garage in the Center Moriches home belonging to his father and his father's fiancee.

"It is up to us to rally together to support his family and push for change so that no child has to suffer like Thomas and his siblings," organizers said. "The tragic news of Thomas Valva and his family has struck the heart of our community."

At the event, which was attended by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Thomas' mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, thanked all involved for organizing the march.

Her son had special needs, she said, but that did not stop him from achieving success in school and in life.

On the way to the event, Zubko-Valva said, she asked God and Tommy: "'What message do you want me to tell everyone?' I think the most important thing was that Tommy was the kind of child who was a fighter. … I'm here to fight with you for change. For change that is so necessary in the community and in the government that is supposed to protect our children. And in Thomas' case, unfortunately, all failed to do so. So Tommy, as your mommy, I promise: The changes are coming."

"Amen, sister," a member of the crowd cried.

Zubko-Valva added: "We're not going to stop until we know that children in a similar situation are safe … that parents — loving parents who care and love their children — are not separated from their children. Thank you for making me realize that I'm not alone in this process."

"We love you, Justyna," another shouted.

Speaking with Patch, Zubko-Valva added that she had been through a "traumatic experience that has changed my life forever. But I’m still strong enough to fight for Thomas because that is what he wants for me. I'm strong enough to fight for he wants — for the change to happen very soon. There's no time to wait."

After the march, Zubko-Valva told the crowd as she looked toward the sky: "Tommy is here, too. Thomas is definitely looking down upon us from heaven, and he's extremely happy that he's starting this whole movement, this whole change in everybody's life. He's already saved five other children — my two boys and, obviously, three girls. I feel like the changes are going to happen very quickly — and we are going to have so many more successful stories."

Also attending the march was Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, who said she had come to support SASI and Zubko-Valva, "and to make the system better."

Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez added: "There was a failure in this system."

(Video by Lisa Finn)

The crowd came waving posters that said "Justice for Thomas" — many fully wrapped in blue ribbons, the symbol for child abuse awareness. Others brought gifts of teddy bears and toys for Zubko-Valva and her two sons.

Wendy Isnardi said her daughter Evangeline, 12, made 100 bracelets and donated all the proceeds, $147, to Thomas' mother and brothers. "She wanted to make a difference and help in any way she could," Isnardi said.

"Everyone should have a voice," said Evangeline, a student at St. Mary's RC School in East Islip. "I just wanted to help Justyna and her boys."

Speaking to the crowd, Leigh-Ann Barde of SASI said Zubko-Valva is an "amazing woman who has made such an impact on the community in such a short time. … Her beautiful little boy has become such a hero to others suffering in their own homes."

Priscilla Arena of SASI also spoke: "Thomas' life was not in vain. We've made a promise, and we're all infuriated. But this is about changing the system that is broken, that failed this young man. Period. End of story. So we've got to get ourselves together, to organize. Now, they'll hear us."

Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini unsealed five-count indictments Thursday against Thomas' father, Michael Valva, 40, and fiancee, Angela Pollina, 42. Valva and Pollina, of Bittersweet Lane, were arrested Jan. 24; both have been charged with second-degree murder and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Sini said.

At the unsealing of the indictments, Assistant District Attorney Kerriann Kelly provided additional details of the case, describing abuse that she said Thomas and his brother Anthony endured, including beatings, being sent to school soaked in urine and starving.

Pollina and Valva pleaded not guilty Thursday. Pollina's Huntington-based attorney, Matthew Tuohy, had asked for $50,000 cash/$100,ooo bail, stating that his client has maintained that "she is innocent." The issue of bail for Valva was deferred until he could secure private counsel, Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice William Condon said; he remanded both back to jail without bail.

If convicted, both face 25 years to life behind bars, Sini said.

Thomas' death has sparked grief among those who knew him and complete strangers, with hundreds who have come together to honor him at vigils, fundraisers and at his funeral. Many have demanded change, questioning how his case fell through the cracks despite reported calls and complaints about suspected abuse.

"Most of us have never known Thomas and his family, yet it's because of them we are all here to stand united with a family grieving such a tragic loss … to let them know they are not alone," Barde said. "We stand with them as they fight for justice, and we work diligently with our leaders to ensure that no child ever suffers again the way Thomas and his brothers have. Our system can never fail like this again. ... We cannot bring Thomas back, but we can make sure that his death was not in vain. We will make sure that every little girl and boy is safe in their homes."

Additional reporting was provided by Jacqueline Sweet of Patch.