A 7-year-old girl placed in the care of a Bayport family died after months of alleged abuse, torture, and untreated injuries that left her with approximately 90 wounds across her body, according to Suffolk County prosecutors.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Wednesday that three generations of women from the same family were indicted in connection with the death of Jor’Dynn Duncan, who prosecutors said suffered prolonged abuse while living in their home.
Authorities said Emily Kelly, 50, called 911 on Dec. 29, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m. to report that the child was in cardiac arrest. Paramedics transported Jor’Dynn to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk, where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy determined the child died from a massive untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries, according to prosecutors. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office documented about 90 injuries on her body at the time of her death.
Prosecutors said the investigation uncovered extensive photos and videos allegedly documenting months of abuse, restraint, injuries, and lack of medical treatment dating back to January 2025. The material was allegedly recovered from Kelly’s cellphone and cloud-based accounts.
Investigators said Kelly was the fiancée of Jor’Dynn’s father. Child Protective Services placed the girl with Kelly in December 2024 at Kelly’s request, according to the indictment announcement. Kelly later obtained full custody and guardianship of the child in April 2025.
Authorities also alleged the child missed roughly 40 days of school between January and June 2025. Prosecutors said Kelly allegedly gave false excuses involving illnesses, deaths in the family, and a supposed trip to Disney World to conceal the abuse.
Tierney described the case as “months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse.”
“This was not an alleged single act of violence,” Tierney said. “The child was allegedly left to die while these defendants watched her deteriorate.”
Kelly was indicted on charges including second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, unlawful imprisonment, and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors said she faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count.
Barbara Renner, 75, Kelly’s mother, was indicted on manslaughter and child endangerment charges. Elyssa Seymore, 24, Kelly’s daughter, was indicted on unlawful imprisonment and child endangerment charges.
All three defendants were arraigned Wednesday before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins and are due back in court on June 23, 2026.
Prosecutors noted that the charges are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Photo: SCDA
