A police officer charged with the murder of his son with autism has quit the force to keep his pension.
41-year-old Michael Valva has been charged in the murder of 8-year-old Thomas, who was beaten, starved, and locked outside their home during freezing temperatures.
The young boy passed away from hypothermia after sleeping in the garage on January 17.
Valva and his girlfriend Angelina Pollina, 42, have been charged with second-degree murder.
Despite concerns from school officials and desperate pleas from the boy’s biological mother, Valva was given custody of the 8-year-old boy and his brother in 2017.
While awaiting his trial, Valva resigned from the NYPD instead of facing disciplinary action from the force.
His lawyer, John LoTurco, reportedly did this so he can protect a portion of his pension.
LoTurco said: “The NYPD offered him a resignation without a disciplinary hearing, and that allowed him not to admit any culpability and just resign, allowed him to keep his pension. But in exchange, there’s no salary going forward.”
Quitting the force will also let Valva retain his benefits.
It is not clear how much of his pension will be available, but according to the police pension website, the minimum amount of years required to contribute to the fund is 20.
Resigning before 20 years allows someone to take their money out but it will be tax unless transferred to an IRA.
One person commented: “Poor baby boy. Who could do such a thing to a vulnerable child? Their own child no less ! Some people really are evil.”
Another wrote: “He will get every drop of what he deserves.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Replaced!