Twins From 'House Of Torment' Where Thomas Valva Died Need Help

CENTER MORICHES, NY — Help is needed for twin girls who lived in the Center Moriches home where police said 8-year-old Thomas Valva died in a frigid garage after being left there overnight.

On Jan. 24, Suffolk County homicide detectives arrested two people in connection with the child's Jan. 17 death: his father, Michael Valva, 40, and Valva's fiancée, Angela Pollina, 42, of Center Moriches. Both were charged with second-degree murder.

Thomas and five other children lived in what Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini called a "house of horrors."

A GoFundMe page, "Help Ichkhan’s Girls Transition Into Their New Life" was created by Alli Green to benefit twins Delana and Milana, who authorities say lived in the house. A fundraising page has also been organized for Gino Cali and his daughter, Gia, who authorities say also lived in the house.

The twins are in the custody of their father Michael Ichkhan and stepmother Lauren Ichkhan, the page said.

"They are doing the best that they can to shield the children from further damage and help to provide for them," the page reads. "The years to come will bring many expenses ... While I would imagine there will be some form of aid financially for those issues, the most major and imminent issue is that of housing. Currently, the family is living in a two bedroom basement apartment which is insufficient for a family of six — there are two additional babies in the home. The Ichkhans are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their family is well provided for but these immediate costs are unexpected."

And, Green said: "I personally have known Mike, Lauren and their family for many years. These girls are going to have love, support, and be given the opportunity to live healthy and normal lives. They just need help to establish the life that they all deserve. If a monetary contribution is not an option, they are grateful for any donations. . . Food donations, gift cards, meals, all types of donations will be accepted and appreciated. Please, continue to pray for these girls. The public only knows a fraction of what these children all endured. They have been freed from that house of torment but their pain is not over."

Speaking to Patch, Michael Ichkhan said he extended his "deepest sympathy and condolences to Justyna (Zubko-Valva, Thomas Valva's mother) and the boys on the tragic and senseless death of Thomas. I never met Thomas and in my eyes, he's my hero. I wanted to thank everyone, especially Marie Gouldsbury" — who has been instrumental in fundraising drives to help Zubko-Valva, the Ickhans, and Cali — "for all the contributions and donations thus far," he said. "I'm so happy to have my girls back and give them the life they deserve with nothing but love and happiness. They will feel safe with me and grow up to become successful women one day. From the bottom of my heart, my wife Lauren and I want to thank everyone who has reached out and helped us in one way or another."

Although his father initially reported that Thomas died after a fall in the driveway, gruesome new details emerged at a press conference by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart.

Thomas Valva died of hypothermia, according to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, Hart said.

"We believe that he was kept in the garage overnight preceding his death," Hart said, adding that when he was found, the boy's body temperature was 76 degrees and he had head and facial injuries that did not align with Valva's account of what had happened.

Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Kerriann Kelly, painted a grim depiction of the day Thomas died and Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini unsealed five-count indictments against Valva and Pollina, 42. Thomas and Anthony, she said, were sent to school hungry, in urine-soaked diapers, with bruises. Sini called the Valva home a "house of horrors."

If convicted, Valva and Pollina face 25 years to life in prison, Sini said. Both pleaded not guilty.

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