7-year-old girl’s body exhumed months after death from alleged abuse

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. (WABC) — The body of a 7-year-old New York girl has been exhumed months after her death, according to her mother’s attorney.

Prosecutors said Jor’Dynn Duncan suffered months of abuse before dying from an untreated infection.

Attorney Heather Palmore said her client, Portia Duncan, gave authorization to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for Jor’Dynn’s body to be exhumed.

“We don’t know why they asked for the exhumation of Jor’Dynn’s body,” Palmore said. “What I will say is, in my experience as a former prosecutor, there may be things or evidence that they’re looking to corroborate or uncover.”

Mother described as devastated

Palmore said the 7-year-old’s mother is emotional over the exhumation but understands it is a necessary part of getting to the truth and getting justice for Jor’Dynn.

“She’s devastated,” Palmore said. “It is a nightmare for her. It’s a nightmare for her family and those who love Jor’Dynn.”

Details of the case

According to prosecutors, the girl endured months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, much of which was recorded on a cellphone, before dying from a massive untreated infection from her injuries.

The 7-year-old had about 90 injuries on her body at the time of her death, according to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Jor’Dynn’s legal guardian, Emily Kelly, her mother, Barbara Renner, and Kelly’s daughter, Elyssa Seymore, are all facing charges in connection with the child’s death and previously pleaded not guilty.

“Any reasonable person would have been able to conclude that something was wrong here,” Palmore said.

The second grader was taken out of her mother’s custody after an alleged failed drug test.

Notice of claim filed

In July, Portia Duncan’s attorneys filed a notice of claim alleging the county, Bayport-Blue Point School District and others were negligent in monitoring her health and safety and failed to intervene.

Palmore said they will be filing a lawsuit shortly.

“It’ll be very clear that the institutions that were set in place and that we rely on to take care of children when their parents can’t, that they failed her,” Palmore said.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment. The three women charged in the case are awaiting trial.