Long Island Birth Mother Set to Sue County, School District over Death of 7-Year-Old Daughter
The estate says county officials and the school district missed warning signs, as investigators documented more than 90 injuries on the child.
- On Tuesday, Portia Duncan announced plans to file a $250 million lawsuit against Suffolk County and the Bayport-Blue Point School District, alleging officials ignored warning signs that could have saved her seven-year-old daughter, Jor'Dynn Duncan.
- Investigators determined Jor'Dynn died from a massive untreated infection in December 2025 following months of abuse. Legal guardian Emily Kelly allegedly subjected the child to systematic torture, documenting more than 90 injuries.
- Allegations indicate the school district failed to report chronic absenteeism, as Jor'Dynn missed 40 days of school in 2025. Kelly allegedly used makeup to conceal injuries while fabricating excuses to explain absences.
- Prosecutors indicted Kelly, her mother Barbara Renner, and daughter Elyssa Seymore on murder, manslaughter, and unlawful imprisonment charges. Kelly faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top charge.
- The filing represents the "first step" in holding parties accountable, attorney Derek Sells said. Duncan seeks systemic change, asserting that authorities failed to protect a child who was "in plain sight.
14 Articles
14 Articles
MyClallamCounty.com
Long Island birth mother set to sue county, school district over death of 7-year-old daughter
Portia Duncan becomes emotional as she speaks about her late daughter, 7-year-old Jor’Dynn Duncan, during a news conference on July 7, 2026, in Melville, New York. (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images) (NEW YORK) — The birth mother of a 7-year-old girl from Long Island, New York, is planning to sue the county and school district following the death of her daughter in December 2025. Portia Duncan filed a notice of claim against Suf…
'Poor Baby': Black 7-Year-Old Tortured to Death by Dad's White Fiancée and Her Family, Mother Goes After Those She Says Ignored the Signs
A New York mother is suing the school district and county that she says failed to protect her Black daughter from months of torture by […] ‘Poor Baby’: Black 7-Year-Old Tortured to Death by Dad’s White Fiancée and Her Family, Mother Goes After Those She Says Ignored the Signs
'I Was A Damn Good Mother' — Jor'Dynn Duncan's Mom, Portia Duncan, Blasts CPS After Daughter's Alleged Torture, Files $250 Million Lawsuit
Source: Photo courtesy of CBS News / Portia Duncan, mother of Jor’Dynn Duncan who was allegedly tortured to death. Portia Duncan, the mother of 7-year-old Jor’Dynn Duncan, whose death prosecutors say followed months of prolonged abuse and torture, is accusing Suffolk County and her daughter’s school district of failing to protect her child. According to CBS News, Portia Duncan and the attorneys representing Jor’Dynn’s estate announced on July 7 …
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