'You tortured them.' Judge sentences Angela Pollina to 25 years to life in Thomas Valva murder

Pollina's attorney tells News 12 she plans on appealing the decision.

Krista McNally

Apr 11, 2023, 9:43 AM

Updated 550 days ago

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Angela Pollina has been sentenced to 25 years to life in the murder of 8-year-old Thomas Valva.
The Center Moriches woman was found guilty of second-degree murder and four counts of child endangerment last month.
Prosecutors say Pollina and her ex-fiancé, Michael Valva, forced Thomas Valva and his brother Anthony Valva to sleep in the freezing garage of their Center Moriches home.
During the sentencing, Judge Timothy Mazzei said to Pollina, "You tortured those boys. You tortured them."
Thomas Valva's teachers, the biological fathers of Pollina's children and jurors from Michael Valva's trial were present for Tuesday's sentencing.
Thomas Valva died of hypothermia in January 2020.
His father, Michael Valva, is currently serving 25 years to life in prison for his death.
Judge Mazzei said to Pollina in regards to prison, "My only regret is they do not have a garage there."
Pollina's attorney tells News 12 she plans on appealing the decision.
Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey released a statement saying, "Now that justice has been served and the killers of Thomas Valva have been sentenced to lengthy prison sentences, the Suffolk Legislature will move forward with its investigation into the failures of the county's CPS system and begin to do all we can to ensure that every child is protected from neglect and abuse."