Sheriff states Florida woman caused death of 6-year-old son while performing exorcism to remove demons

A Florida woman killed her 6-year-old son while she “was trying to exorcise demons,” according to St. Lucie Sheriff Richard Del Toro.

Rhonda Paulynice, 41, was arrested near Fort Pierce on a charge of second-degree murder, Del Toro said at a Friday news conference.

According to the sheriff, deputies found Ra’myl Pierre dead in his bed after his school reported that he had been absent for two weeks.

Investigators said Paulynice believed that God told her to perform an exorcism and her son would “brought back to life.”

“After the child had ceased moving and essentially died at that moment, she believed the child had been freed from those demons and was anticipating his return,” Del Toro explained.

An autopsy will be performed to determine how the boy died.

Paulynice is being held without bond.