Tara Rincon

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Apr 30, 2026, 5:06 AM

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Updated

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The settlement between the mother of Thomas Valva and Suffolk County has still not been finalized six years after he was killed.

The 8-year-old boy's mother hasn't signed the paperwork, and the case could head to trial if she doesn't, U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan says.

Justina Zubko-Valva, Thomas’ mother, claims county officials ignored warning signs that her son was being abused.

As News 12 has reported, the boy died of hypothermia in 2020 while living with his father, Michael Valva, and then-fiancée, Angela Pollina.

The pair forced the child to sleep in a freezing garage in their Center Moriches home, starved and beat him.

Both are currently serving 25-years-to-life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in separate trials.

Zubko-Valva now has thirty days to sign off on the motion, and if not, a trial would be scheduled for June.