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Thomas’ father Michael Valva, 40, an NYPD transit officer, and his fiancée Angela Pollina, 42, have been charged with murder in connection with his death, said the Suffolk County Police.
Police said the child was allegedly kept overnight in the home's garage in frigid temperatures that dropped as low as 19 degrees.
Thomas' mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, the mother of two other boys who also lived with their father, has been fighting for two years to regain custody of the children who she says were abused by their father and his fiancée and on a Twitter page.
During a community vigil Sunday, Jan. 26, in Center Moriches on Sunday night, those gathered pledged to fight child abuse and lit candles to honor the little boy who also had autism.
Zubko-Valva said during the vigil that she knew she wasn't alone in her suffering by the community coming together.
"Tonight is all about Tommy, my little baby who just loved everybody," she said.
A visitation will be held for Thomas on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 2 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Mangano Family Funeral Homes, 1701 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park.
Closing prayers will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, from 8:15 to 9 a.m., at the funeral home, with burial following at the St. Elizabeth of Hungary RC Church, 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville.
The public is invited.
To read a history of Thomas' mother fight against his abuse for the past two years, click here.
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