Lengthy Island mother sues county, colleges in daughter’s torture demise – NBC New York

A Lengthy Island mom is taking authorized motion in opposition to Suffolk County after investigators stated her daughter was tortured and killed by her authorized guardian.

Portia Duncan got here to Melville flanked by her legal professionals to precise grief and remorse over the demise of her 7-year-old daughter, Jor’Dynn.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t cry, that I don’t take into consideration my daughter and fault myself,” Duncan stated at a press convention Tuesday.

Duncan’s previous drug abuse resulted in Jor’Dynn being positioned in foster care in a Bayport residence in Jan. 2025. Eleven months later, Jor’Dynn was useless. Suffolk prosecutors stated she was the sufferer of months of systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse.

Emily Kelly, the court-appointed guardian for Jor’Dynn and the fiancée of Jor’dynns organic father, was charged along with her homicide. Kelly’s mom and grownup daughter are additionally dealing with legal costs in Jordynn’s demise.

“Suffolk county, their youngster protecting providers, the Bayport College District and their brokers, their workers, failed Jor’Dynn Duncan,” stated Duncan’s lawyer, Derek Sells.

Duncan’s attorneys insisted on Tuesday that others should share blame within the younger woman’s demise as properly, as they introduced plans to sue Suffolk County and the Bayport-Blue Level College District for $250 million.

“If any individual would have performed one thing perhaps we’d not be right here,” stated legal professional Lawanda Williams.

The legal professionals allege that no college officers reported Jor’Dynn had missed 40 days of college in six months, nor did they report her coming to class sporting make-up to masks the abuse.

In addition they declare the county didn’t correctly vet Kelly as a guardian, and are responsible of racial bias in selecting her over others near Jor’dynn. Kelly is white; Duncan is Black.

“We’re right here to verify all people sees Jor’Dynn at this time,” stated Marjorie Mesidor, one in every of Duncan’s attorneys.

Each the county and the college district declined remark, citing pending authorized issues.

The three lady charged criminally have all pleaded not responsible.

“I miss her dearly,” Duncan stated via tears. “I’m very upset she’s been taken from me … I simply need justice for my daughter.”