7-Year-Old Was Tortured, Left To Die; 3 Generations Of Bayport Women Indicted: DA

BAYPORT, NY — Three generations of Bayport women have been indicted in connection with the death of a 7-year-old girl who prosecutors said endured months of abuse and torture while in their care.

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

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.

According to the investigation, Kelly called 911 at about 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2025, to report that Jor’Dynn was in cardiac arrest, prosecutors said. Paramedics found the child unconscious and took her to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk, where she was pronounced dead, prosecutors said.

An autopsy determined Jor’Dynn died from a massive 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.

Investigators said Kelly was the fiancée of Jor’Dynn’s father.

In December 2024, Suffolk County Child Protective Services placed the girl with Kelly at Kelly’s request, and in April 2025, Kelly gained full custody and guardianship of the child, prosecutors said.

Investigators found extensive photo and video evidence on Kelly’s cellphone and cloud-based accounts documenting the alleged prolonged abuse and torture of Jor’Dynn, prosecutors said. The evidence included prolonged restraint, physical injuries and a lack of medical care for those injuries dating back to January 2025, prosecutors said.

After Jor’Dynn’s death, investigators learned she missed about 40 days of school between January 2025 and June 2025, prosecutors said. Kelly provided fabricated excuses involving illnesses, deaths in the family and a trip to Disney World, all of which were used to conceal the abuse, prosecutors said.

Kelly was arraigned Wednesday before Supreme Court Justice John Collins on charges of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, unlawful imprisonment and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Collins ordered Kelly held on $5 million cash, $10 million bond or $10 million partially secured bond during the case, prosecutors said. Kelly is due back in court June 23 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. She is represented by John LoTurco.

Renner was arraigned Wednesday before Collins on charges of second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Collins ordered Renner held on $50,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the case, prosecutors said. Renner is due back in court June 23 and faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. She is represented by Danielle Coyshe.

Seymore was arraigned Wednesday before Collins on charges of unlawful imprisonment and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Collins ordered Seymore held on $25,000 cash, $250,000 bond or $250,000 partially secured bond during the case, prosecutors said.

Seymore is due back in court June 23 and faces up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. She is represented by Katherine Fernandez.

Patch has reached out to the defense attorneys for comment, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Today, my office is announcing the indictment against three co-defendants after a lengthy grand jury investigation into the alleged prolonged torture, abuse, and the brutal murder of a defenseless, innocent child who was placed in their care,” Tierney said. “This was not an alleged single act of violence. It was months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, meticulously documented. The child was allegedly left to die while these defendants watched her deteriorate. No child should ever endure such horror, and we will seek justice for Jor’Dynn.”