Zakieya Latrice Avery, 28, and 21-year-old Monifa Sanford have been charged in the murder of two toddlers, which were brutally stabbed on Friday in an attempted exorcism.
Two other young victims, ages five and eight, were also wounded but all four are said to be Avery’s children.
Authorities found the children in a home located in Germantown following a 911 call from a nearby neighbor.
The neighbor reported suspicious activities after noticing a stream of blood outside the house and a knife near a car door.
When authorities arrived, the two women attempted to flee out the back door.(image)
It is unknown why the crime was declared an exorcism, but police have reported that the women believed they were performing an exorcism.
Two-year-old Zyana Harri and one-year-old Norell succumbed to multiple stab wounds. The other two victims are being hospitalized for their injuries.
Both have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.(image)
“Cases like this are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims,” Police Chief Tom Manager told CNN.
Nearby neighbors like Michelle Smith are still in disbelief by the events that took place, because to many Avery seemed like a happy, normal single mother.
“Shocked, but devastated at the same time because there’s kids involved and you hate to see or hear something happened to kids,” she said.
Sadly enough, cases similar to this are not completely uncommon, but yet still bizarre.
In June 2013, 30-year-old Eder Guzman-Rodriguez of Floyd County, Va., was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his daughter, which occurred in 2011.
Guzman-Rodriguez too believed that his child was possessed by demons and tried to extract the evil spirits by ways of exorcism.
Two-year-old Jocelyn suffered from abrasions and fractured ribs, but her cause of death was concluded to be asphyxiation.
What is even creepier is that other friends were present during the event but were standing outside of the house holding Bibles.
Guzman-Rodriguez, who is currently serving 20 years, is scheduled for deportation soon after his release.