Renee Emin said both Thomas and Anthony Valva appeared emaciated. She said Thomas Valva would scream and cry that he was hungry.
In one instance, the Child Protective Services case worker for the Valva brothers was at the school and Thomas Valva was brought to her. In that meeting, Emin says the child admitted to them that he and his brother slept in the garage, were hosed down outside and had to go to the bathroom outside over a hill in the backyard.
The school psychologist testified that Thomas Valva made the admission in May 2019.
"He was so brave that day because he said everything he needed to say to the people who needed to hear it," Emin testified.
However, nothing was done, and Thomas Valva died on Jan. 17, 2020 from hypothermia.
Pollina pleaded not guilty to the charges she is facing in the boy's death.
Her lawyer, Matthew Tuohy, says Michael Valva is responsible for his son's death.
"Michael Valva is the center of all these things here, and what the witnesses couldn't point out is that they did have valid concerns of mistreatment and had no idea where it came from," Tuohy says. "So, I didn't even have to cross-examine. A lot hits an emotional chord, but it has nothing to do with Angela."
Thomas Valva's third grade teacher also testified Friday - saying he was very red, frail and limping the week leading up to his death.
A photo she took of her student on Jan. 16, 2020 was shown to the court. In the photo, the boy's hands were red.
The teacher testified that that was the last time Thomas Valva was in class and the following day she said she found out that he had died.