Mom’s tears at funeral of autistic son, 8, who ‘froze to death’ after saying death was ‘preventable’
THE mom of a young autistic boy, who allegedly froze to death, cried at her son’s funeral after saying his death was “preventable.”
Thomas Valva, 8, died shortly after being found unresponsive in his Long Island home on January 17.
He was forced by his dad, Michael Valva, and his dad’s fiance, Angela Pollina, to sleep in a freezing garage overnight – leading him to collapse from the hypothermia and die.
Justyna Zubko-Valva, the boy’s mom, told CBS2 her son’s death was “preventable” as she had filed “numerous complaints” over a three-year period.
She attended Thomas’s funeral Thursday morning at the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Melville, Long Island.
According to CBS, Bishop Andrzej Zgelszewski told mourners: “I hope that the message of this tragedy will teach so many hearts and so many lives.
“Just simply because we have to do something about it.
“Another human life was lost because of our human negligence.”
Justyna attended the funeral with her two other children, Thomas’ brothers, to pay their respects with nearly 200 other mourners.
Thomas’ white and gold casket was carried out by family and friends who wore blue ribbons.
Bishop Zgelszewski questioned the funeral-goers about the social services and law-enforcement agencies involved in Thomas’ case.
He said: “Our legal and social system failed him. I’m sorry to say it, somehow, we failed him. Do you know why? Because we create the system, we choose our elected officials.”
Zglejszewski continued: “Don’t forget that children are given to us to be loved, to be embraced and to be hugged.”
“Children are given to as a gift to be taken care of. They are the future or humanity. They are the future of the world. …Not to be punished.
“There is no reason for that. They have to be cherished. How long and how many lives it will take for us to learn?”
Both Valva and Pollina have been charged with murder in connection to his son’s death.
Valva, who was an NYPD traffic officer for the past 15 years, was forced had to hand in his gun and badge while the investigation is ongoing.
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A GoFundMe created in memory of Thomas, to help his siblings and his mom, has raised nearly $50,000 in five days.
Thursday’s funeral costs were paid for by donations.
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