Family, Supporters Pack Court As 3 Generations Accused In Torture, Death Of LI Child, 7, Plead Not Guilty

Jor’Dynn Duncan’s family attorney said the legal team is examining whether
“system flaws or failures” played a role in her tragic death.

RIVERHEAD, NY — Supporters wearing pink gathered outside Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead Tuesday morning before the court appearances of three generations of Bayport women charged in connection with the death of 7-year-old Jor’Dynn Duncan.

Emily Kelly, 50, was indicted in May on second-degree murder and other charges in Jor’Dynn’s death, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Kelly’s mother, 75-year-old Barbara Renner, was indicted on second-degree manslaughter and another charge, while Kelly’s daughter, 24-year-old Elyssa Seymore, was indicted on first-degree unlawful imprisonment and other charges, prosecutors said.

The color pink filled the hallway Tuesday, Jor’Dynn’s favorite color. Some supporters wore shirts bearing the smiling face of 7-year-old Jor’Dynn. Others carried bright pink signs reading “Justice For Jor’Dynn” and “We Love U Jor’Dynn.”

Jor’Dynn’s family — including her mother Portia — friends and supporters filled the courtroom as the three women charged in connection with her death returned before a judge for procedural conferences.

Prosecutors have said Kelly was the fiancée of Jor’Dynn’s father, who is currently in prison, and Suffolk County Child Protective Services placed the child with Kelly in December 2024 at Kelly’s request. Kelly gained full custody and guardianship of Jor’Dynn in April 2025, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, Kelly called 911 on Dec. 29, 2025, to report that Jor’Dynn was in cardiac arrest. Paramedics found the child unconscious and took her to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk, where she was pronounced ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, prosecutors said.

An autopsy determined Jor’Dynn died from a mᴀssive untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries, prosecutors said.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office documented about 90 injuries on her body at the time of her death, prompting an investigation by Suffolk County police homicide detectives, prosecutors said.

Outside the courtroom, Jor’Dynn’s family attorney, Heather Palmore, said the family’s legal team is looking beyond the criminal case.

“We are currently examining whether there are any system flaws or failures,” Palmore said. “This is one of those most difficult cases that I’ve ever had to prosecute, and I say that because not only does this hit to the system failure, but those who are mothers — and Portia has certainly fought for her daughter, and I believe it will be revealed in time — but this case reminds me so much of Lisa Steinberg,Thomas Valva.”

Jor’Dynn’s obituary remembered her as “Beautiful. Brilliant. Bright.” It described a child whose “joy, confidence, and sparkle filled every space she entered,” a little girl who loved music, movement, laughter and being surrounded by love.

“I think Jor’Dynn Duncan, who was a second grader, should be awaiting that letter in the mail in August that every child gets, knowing who your teacher is going to be the next year,” Palmore said.

Palmore said she has ᴀssembled a legal team to examine multiple areas, including school law, abuse and wrongful death.

“Those things are important, because this is not just a criminal case,” she said. “We may be looking at something where there’s a liability.”

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The community support, Palmore said, has helped Jor’Dynn’s mother, Portia Duncan, continue showing up.

Riverhead resident Veleda Spellman, founder of Positive Queens,helped organize Tuesday’s gathering of support. Portia is a member of the women’s organization, and Spellman said the goal was to make sure Jor’Dynn’s family did not feel alone.

“I thought that it was a great idea to come out and support her,” Spellman said. “I wanted to rally this part of the community together behind Portia to let her know her and her family know that they’re not in it by themselves.”

Spellman said the packed courtroom was meant to send a message larger than one case.

“When something horrific happens to one person, it affects us all,” she said.

The support outside court included people who knew Jor’Dynn’s family and others who said they came because they were moved by the allegations.

Mastic resident Fatima Turner said she did not know the family, but came to court as a mother. She took off work because she felt she needed to stand with Jor’Dynn’s loved ones.

“I just came to support,” Turner said. “I’m a mother of five and I have four grandkids.”

Middle Island resident Jacqueline Wiggins said she grew up with Jor’Dynn’s mother and knew the family from childhood. Standing outside court with others wearing pink, Wiggins said she was angry not only at the allegations in the criminal case, but at what she sees as missed opportunities to intervene.

“If one of my children missed 44 days of school, the officer’s coming,” Wiggins said. “I don’t understand what happened with the school district, the case workers, the social workers. I believe they should be held accountable as well, because they failed her.”

Sparkle Harris, who identified herself as the mother of one of Jor’Dynn’s brothers, said the large showing in court was meant to make clear that Jor’Dynn was not alone and had not been forgotten.

“We love her,” Harris said. “Everyone needs to know that she was loved. Even though that happened to her, she still had family, and everyone loved her.”

Harris said relatives would have acted had they known what prosecutors now allege happened inside the home.

“It’s hard to think she missed all those days of school, and no one would have to check on her,” Harris said. “I’ve never heard of that, ever. To miss that many days of school. No one calls CPS, no one calls the cops for them to go to the house and check to see — it’s very heartbreaking.”

Two of Jor’Dynn’s half brothers, twins Justyce and Jalon Armstrong, wore matching pink memorial shirts bearing her pH๏τo outside the courtroom.

“Today’s appearance was the initial conference following arraignment,” said John LoTurco, the attorney representing Kelly, in a statement to Patch. “We received the first installment of discovery from the District Attorney’s Office yesterday and are currently awaiting the remainder of the discovery materials.”

LoTurco also addressed the supporters who attended Tuesday’s proceeding.

“With respect to the protesters and supporters of Jor’Dynn Duncan who attended today’s proceeding, we recognize and respect their First Amendment rights to express their views and to attend this public court proceeding, particularly given that this case involves the tragic death of a seven-year-old child,” LoTurco said.

“While the public understandably has a strong interest in the case, our client is enтιтled to the fundamental protections guaranteed by our Consтιтution, including the right to a fair and impartial jury that is not influenced by extensive pretrial publicity or a rush to judgment,” he said. “Under our system of justice, Emily Kelly is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We intend to vigorously defend her against these allegations and will pursue all appropriate legal remedies to ensure that her consтιтutional rights are protected throughout these proceedings.”

LoTurco previously told Patch the matter had been reviewed by Family Court and child protective authorities before Kelly was given custody.

Tuesday’s conferences ended without major procedural changes, but Jor’Dynn’s family and supporters said they plan to keep coming back.

Kelly’s next appearance was set for Aug. 6. Renner’s next date was set for Aug. 7. She is represented by attorney Danielle Coysh. Seymore’s next appearance was set for Aug. 10. She is represented by attorney Katherine Fernandez.

Neither Coysh nor Fernandez immediately returned calls for comment.

No bail changes were announced in open court on Tuesday.