Bayport Woman Charged With Murder in Death of 7-Year-Old Girl; Mother and Daughter Also Indicted

BAYPORT, NY – Suffolk County prosecutors have indicted three generations of Bayport women in connection with the death of 7-year-old Jor’Dynn Duncan, who authorities say suffered months of alleged abuse, restraint, injuries, and medical neglect while in the care of Emily Kelly, the fiancée of the child’s father.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Kelly, 50, was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and related offenses following a grand jury investigation into what prosecutors described as prolonged abuse and torture. Kelly’s mother, Barbara Renner, 75, was indicted on Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Kelly’s daughter, Elyssa Seymore, 24, was indicted on Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

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

An autopsy later determined that Jor’Dynn died from a massive untreated infection connected to sharp force injuries. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office documented approximately 90 injuries on the child’s body, prompting an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

Prosecutors said Suffolk County Child Protective Services placed Jor’Dynn with Kelly in December 2024 at Kelly’s request. Kelly later obtained full custody and guardianship of the child in April 2025.

Investigators allegedly recovered extensive photographic and video evidence from Kelly’s cellphone and cloud-based accounts documenting abuse dating back to January 2025. Prosecutors said the material allegedly showed prolonged restraint, physical injuries, and a failure to obtain medical care for those injuries.

Authorities also said Jor’Dynn missed about 40 days of school between January and June 2025. Kelly allegedly provided false explanations for the absences, including illnesses, deaths in the family, and a trip to Disney World.

Kelly was arraigned May 20, 2026, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins on one count of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Reckless Endangerment, one count of Unlawful Imprisonment, and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was ordered held on $5 million cash, $10 million bond, or $10 million partially secured bond. She faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top charge.

Renner was arraigned the same day on one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was ordered held on $50,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond. She faces five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

Seymore was arraigned on one count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was ordered held on $25,000 cash, $250,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond. She faces up to 1⅓ to 4 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

All three defendants are due back in court on June 23, 2026. The charges are accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.