Prosecutors have alleged that a seven-year-old girl tragically lost her life due to abuse and cruelty inflicted by those responsible for her well-being.
Jor’Dynn Duncan passed away at the hospital after experiencing cardiac arrest on December 29, 2025. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that she died from an untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries, with approximately 90 injuries found on her body during a post-mortem examination.
Three women, Emily Kelly, 50, Barbara Renner, 75, and Elyssa Seymore, 24, have been arrested in connection with the young girl’s death. Kelly, who was entrusted with Jor’Dynn’s care despite no family relation, allegedly fabricated stories to conceal the abuse, including falsely claiming a trip to Disney World and accounting for numerous school absences.
District Attorney Raymond Tierney described the prolonged abuse as “systematic and sadistic,” stressing that the child was allegedly left to suffer while the defendants observed her deterioration. Kelly has been charged with murder, Renner with manslaughter, and Seymore with unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Renner’s legal team argues that she, suffering from dementia, was not the child’s caregiver nor responsible for the tragic outcome. Seymore’s lawyers also deny any involvement in the girl’s death, clarifying that the charges against her stem from a separate incident in July 2025.
Jor’Dynn, a second-grade student in Bayport, was cherished by her teachers for brightening up the room with her presence. The Bayport-Blue Point School District expressed deep sorrow over her passing and pledged support to those affected, emphasizing cooperation with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
