'Justice For Jor'Dynn': As 3 Generations Accused In Torture, Death Of Child Head To Court; Advocates Rally

RIVERHEAD, NY — After news broke that three generations of Bayport women had been indicted in connection with the death of a 7-year-old Jor'Dynn Duncan, who prosecutors said endured months of abuse and torture while in their care — one woman took action.

Veleda Spellman, of Riverhead, has organized an army of supporters to ensure that "Justice for Jor'Dynn" is realized.

To that end, on Tuesday, Spellman has announced a peaceful protest at Suffolk County Supreme Court, outside the Arthur Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead, at 8 a.m. — to precede the court appearances of the three charged in Jor'Dynn Duncan's death. Those in attendance have been asked to wear pink, or a combination of pink and white, if possible — and to bring signs.

"There will be a peaceful protest — peace is definitely needed at this time," Spellman said.

Emily Kelly, 50, was indicted on second-degree murder and other charges in Jor'Dynn's death, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in May.

Kelly’s mother, 75-year-old Barbara Renner, was indicted on second-degree manslaughter and another charge, while Kelly’s daughter, 24-year-old Elyssa Seymore, was indicted on first-degree unlawful imprisonment and other charges, prosecutors said.

According to the investigation, Kelly called 911 at about 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2025, to report that Jor’Dynn was in cardiac arrest, prosecutors said. Paramedics found the child unconscious and took her to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk, where she was pronounced dead, prosecutors said.

An autopsy determined Jor’Dynn died from a massive untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries, prosecutors said.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office documented about 90 injuries on her body at the time of her death, prompting an investigation by Suffolk County police homicide detectives, prosecutors said.

Investigators said Kelly was the fiancée of Jor’Dynn’s father.

In December 2024, Suffolk County Child Protective Services placed the girl with Kelly at Kelly’s request, and in April 2025, Kelly gained full custody and guardianship of the child, prosecutors said.

Investigators found extensive photo and video evidence on Kelly’s cellphone and cloud-based accounts documenting the alleged prolonged abuse and torture of Jor’Dynn, prosecutors said. The evidence included prolonged restraint, physical injuries and a lack of medical care for those injuries dating back to January 2025, prosecutors said.

After Jor’Dynn’s death, investigators learned she missed about 40 days of school between January 2025 and June 2025, prosecutors said. Kelly provided fabricated excuses involving illnesses, deaths in the family and a trip to Disney World, all of which were used to conceal the abuse, prosecutors said.

Speaking with Patch, Spellman, who is the CEO of Positive Queens, a group organized to help woman facing challenges, said Jor'Dynn's story compelled her to reach out and help.

"Our group is a melting pot of women who might be going through the same things — breast cancer, domestic violence, the death of a child — anything deemed to be traumatic," she said.

The group aims to unite woman from all over the nation and the world who might be sharing similar experiences — to show them that they are not alone, Spellman said.

"If someone posts about having breast cancer, another woman might say, 'You can do it!'" she said. ""I'm praying for you.' Through that, they create a bond based on their trauma. And then they turn that trauma into a triumph. That's the basis of our group," Spellman said.

When asked why she'd felt motivated to shine her light of advocacy on Jor'Dynn's story, Spellman said she, like so many others, was heartbroken to learn about the abuse the child had reportedly endured.

"She was so young," she said.

Spellman said she also knew Jor'Dynn's biological mother Portia and was moved by her unthinkable loss.

"I felt that she needed someone to be there for her," she said.

And so, Spellman has taken to social media, sharing Jor'Dynn's story and organizing Tuesday's peaceful gathering.

"You can't just sit back and idly watch somebody go through this by themselves," she said. "Because when someone passes away, immediately, you get all the phone calls and texts and visits. But when that's over, who's there? 
It gets very quiet. Everybody goes away — not realizing that there's still a need. 
People still need you to be there for them, whether it be through prayer — or just by saying, 'I'm here, if you need me to listen, or if you want to cry. I'm here.'"

Jor'Dynn's story has touched hearts globally, Spellman said — with prayers coming from around the world.

"It doesn't have to happen to you, to happen to you," Spellman said. "A loss like this, it tears a community apart — but I've also seen it lift a community up together," she said. "A lot of times, people don't feel that they have people there for them — and to see that there is a great support system out there, even from strangers, is amazing."

Jor'Dynn's death, she said, has sparked an outpouring of concern — and a cry for change, Spellman said.

Spellman said she met recently with Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski and former Legislator Catherine Stark, to discuss what needs to be done on a legislative level; both took the time to listen, she said. Doroski told her that he needed to assess the facts of the case before weighing in on proposed changes.

The hope, Spellman said, is that hope can spring from unthinkable tragedy — and that Jor'Dynn's light can continue to shine, bringing concrete change .

Jor'Dynn's story, Spellman said, brings to mind the tragedy of Thomas Valva, who died after freezing to death in the garage of his father, an ex-NYPD officer.

Valva's case put Child Protective Services under a microscope and highlighted the need for reform; officials outlined a plan for comprehensive CPS changes after Thomas' death.

"What can we do to prevent this from happening to another child?" Spellman said. "How can we come together as a community, to make sure it doesn't happen? Jor'Dynn was failed on many levels," she said.

The facts need to be revealed, Spellman said, "so we can see where the ball was dropped. To point a finger" before the facts were presented, "would be very, very premature," she said. "All we can say for sure right now is that Jor'Dynn is no longer here. We have to look at the facts and create change so she didn't die in vain."

As for Tuesday's gathering, Spellman said the goal is to support Jor'Dynn's family — and to fight for justice.

"When you go home, you look at your own children and your grandchildren and you say, 'I have to come out and be a part of this. And although it did not directly affect me — it directly affects me because, just being a human, i need to be out there. There's no other place I would rather be."

Watching her own grandchildren, Spellman said she thinks, "Jor'Dynn should be doing this.'"

A caring community that spans the globe for good can help those facing their greatest challenges, Spellman said. "There is always somebody in this group has that can help you with what you've got going on — and also, encourage you. The power of sisterhood and women working together is amazing. I've seen it firsthand. And it's both men and women."

Spellman, a mother herself, said Jor'Dynn's story touched her deeply.

"As a mom, it really hits home," she said. "I have three granddaughters. And this makes you want to hug them tighter. This just has to touch you, just being a human."

For those who can't be present physically at the courthouse Tuesday, Spellman said prayers are needed. "Prayer is so powerful."

As the case progresses, and possible legislation is pitched, emails will help, too, Spellman said. "No matter where you are, you are a part of this. There are so many things that you could do within your own community."

She added: "Everybody has ideas. And when you put people in a room together, what wonderful things you can create."

In her own organization, Spellman has seen the power of community.

One woman, she said, was struggling with suicidal thoughts. Other women, strangers, heard about the woman's plight online and went to her apartment; another went with her to the hospital, she said. "Total strangers, that just because they're a part of a sisterhood, were there for her. We are queen sisters. And when one is down, we pick that crown up — and we adjust it. It's beautiful."

Her parents, Spellman said, left her with a deep and abiding faith to guide her — and it's that faith that fuels her mission to help others.

"Every day before I do something, I make sure that I pray," she said.

Her hope is that justice for Jor'Dynn involves turning tragedy into something positive and good, Spellman said.

"It's just so great to see so many people bonded together on what what was a tragedy. Now how are we going to turn this thing around for good? There are two choices when something terrible like this happens. You can sit quietly and do nothing — or you can rise from the darkness. You can join together and create change so that it doesn't happen again — and to provide joy and comfort to the family of those left behind."

Spellman said, just as with Thomas Valva's story, "Jor'Dynn's life is going to have that domino effect. Both their lives are going to create change. Jor'Dynn had a light. And if I just focus on the dark part of the child's life, I overlooked the light. 
I've overlooked just how powerful her life was in that seven years."

Instead, Spellman said people should come together — watch out for one another's children. Donate shoes to kids with no sneakers. Be a voice for the voiceless, she said.

If someone notices that a child has been absent for days, or is hungry, it's important to "speak up. Say something. Speaking up can save a person's life, literally," she said. "Children don't have powerful voices, as adults do. And it is our duty to do that, to speak up, for them."

When asked what true justice for Jor'Dynn would mean, Spellman said: "First, those accountable for her death should face the law of the land. And for me, justice would be her, looking down and seeing that her light wasn't dimmed by something that happened to her, something so dark. The darkness does not define her. I want her to see that her life and legacy is carried on so that this doesn't happen to someone else — and that her light keeps shining."'

If she could speak to Jor'Dynn, Spellman said she'd tell her, "'We'll take it from here.' As long as we keep that light burning for her, people will always be looking toward her light. And it will never be extinguished."

Heather Palmore, attorney for Jor'Dynn's family, did not immediately return a request for comment.

“Today, my office is announcing the indictment against three co-defendants after a lengthy grand jury investigation into the alleged prolonged torture, abuse, and the brutal murder of a defenseless, innocent child who was placed in their care,” Tierney previously said. “This was not an alleged single act of violence. It was months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, meticulously documented. The child was allegedly left to die while these defendants watched her deteriorate. No child should ever endure such horror, and we will seek justice for Jor’Dynn."

Kelly was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice John Collins on charges of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, unlawful imprisonment and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Collins ordered Kelly held on $5 million cash, $10 million bond or $10 million partially secured bond during the case, prosecutors said. Kelly faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. She is represented by John LoTurco.

In a statement to Patch, LoTurco said: "We are deeply concerned by this increasingly sensationalized and one-sided public narrative surrounding the tragic death at issue in this case. The allegations against our client are just that — allegations — and under our system of justice, she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law."

LoTurco added: "Before our client was ever entrusted with the care and custody of this child, the matter was thoroughly reviewed by the Family Court and Child Protective authorities. Following extensive investigation and evaluation" officials determined that "our client was a suitable and appropriate caregiver," he said. "Those findings were not made lightly, and they stand in stark contrast to the simplistic and inflammatory portrayal currently dominating public discourse."

The case, Lo Turco said, "involves an unimaginable tragedy, and emotions understandably run high. However, grief and public outrage cannot replace evidence, due process, or the constitutional right to a fair trial. The rush to judgment that has taken hold in certain media coverage risks undermining the integrity of the judicial process and depriving our client of the impartial consideration every citizen is guaranteed under the law."

He urged the public and media to allow the facts to emerge in court "rather than through speculation, sensational headlines, or incomplete information. Our client maintains her innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to fully present her defense before a jury based on evidence — not emotion. At the conclusion of his process, we are confident that the evidence will demonstrate our client did not commit the crimes alleged and that she will be fully exonerated.'

Renner was arraigned before Collins on charges of second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Collins ordered Renner held on $50,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the case, prosecutors said. Renner faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. She is represented by Danielle Coysh.

Seymore was arraigned before Collins on charges of unlawful imprisonment and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said. Collins ordered Seymore held on $25,000 cash, $250,000 bond or $250,000 partially secured bond during the case, prosecutors said.

Seymore is due back in court June 23 and faces up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. She is represented by Katherine Fernandez.

Coysh and Fernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.