'March For Change' Saturday Honors Life Of Thomas Valva

CENTER MORICHES, NY — The community is coming together Saturday to walk in honor of Thomas Valva, 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.

The "March For Change (Honoring the Life of Thomas Valva)" takes place Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Heckscher State Park in Islip; the event is hosted by Specialized Autism Support & Information, or SASI.

"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. . . Please join us as we march for change!"

Registration is free, the page added. "Help us get the word out. Please share and invite your friends," organizers said. To register, click here.

Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini unsealed five-count indictments Thursday against Thomas' father Michael Valva, 40, and Angela Pollina, 42. Valva and Pollina, of Bittersweet Lane, were arrested on 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 Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Kerriann Kelly painted a grim depiction of the day Thomas died, also describing the abuse she said he and his brother Anthony endured, including beatings, being sent to school soaked in urine and starving.

Pollina and Valva pleaded not guilty on Thursay. Pollina's Huntington-based attorney Matthew Tuohy had asked for $50,000 cash/$100,ooo bond, 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 touched a chord of 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 sounded a cry for change, questioning how his case fell through the cracks despite reported calls and complaints about suspected abuse.