In the shadow of a heartbreaking family tragedy, Justyna Valva, mother of the late Thomas Valva, is locked in a desperate battle against foreclosure on her Center Moriches home, even as a long-awaited settlement from her wrongful death lawsuit against Suffolk County remains stalled. The modest property, where Valva has raised her surviving sons amid ongoing legal strife, now faces auction after missed mortgage payments tied to financial strains from years of litigation and loss. Court records show the lender initiated proceedings last month, prompting Valva to file for emergency relief in Suffolk County Supreme Court.
Thomas Valva's death in January 2020 sent shockwaves through Long Island, exposing failures in the child welfare system. The 8-year-old boy perished from hypothermia after being forced to sleep in an unheated garage by his father, former NYPD officer Michael Valva, and his fiancée Angela Pollina during a brutal winter storm. Both were convicted of second-degree murder in 2023, with Valva sentenced to 25 years to life. Justyna Valva, who had repeatedly warned Child Protective Services about abuse during a contentious custody battle, launched a federal lawsuit alleging negligence by county agencies that ignored her pleas.
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, targeted Suffolk County, its Department of Social Services, and several caseworkers, seeking damages for the systemic oversights that allowed Thomas and his brother Anthony to suffer under their father's care. After protracted negotiations, a tentative $6 million settlement was reached last year, but it has hit repeated snags over liability language, attorney fees, and fund distribution for Valva's three surviving children. Sources close to the case indicate county officials are dragging their feet, citing budget constraints and internal reviews, leaving Valva's family in limbo.
Foreclosure papers detail how Valva's mortgage, originally secured years ago, fell into arrears amid mounting legal costs and emotional toll. She has rallied support from local advocates and launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $50,000, but it's not enough to halt the proceedings. In court filings, Valva describes sleepless nights poring over documents, her voice hoarse from pleas for justice: "They took my son, and now they're taking my home—where do we go from here?" Her attorney, Anthony JR Constantino, argues the settlement delay directly exacerbates the crisis, urging the court to intervene.
As the October 15 foreclosure auction looms, the case underscores broader tensions between grieving families and overburdened public systems. Child welfare experts note that while settlements like Valva's aim to provide closure and compensation, bureaucratic hurdles often prolong suffering. Suffolk County officials declined comment, citing ongoing litigation, but the stalled payout has fueled criticism from lawmakers pushing for reforms in CPS oversight. For Justyna Valva, the fight is far from over—her resolve mirrors the unyielding pursuit of accountability that defined her campaign since Thomas's death.
