Police: Maryland mom kills 2 of her children during attempted exorcism

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**Dreadclaw69**

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/19/justice/maryland-exorcism-deaths/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

(CNN) -- A Maryland mother stabbed two of her children to death and wounded two others while attempting an exorcism, authorities said.

Zakieya L. Avery, 28, was charged Saturday with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, Montgomery County Police said in a statement.

A second woman, who was briefly hospitalized after the incident, was also charged in the two deaths. Police believe she is not related to the family, but lived at the same residence in Germantown.
Norell Harris, 1, and his sister, Zyana Harris, 2, suffered fatal stab wounds while their siblings, ages 5 and 8, were hospitalized with injuries, authorities said.

"Cases like this are heartbreaking," county Police Chief Tom Manger said. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims."

Police said they found the four children Friday morning after a neighbor called 911 to report suspicious activity at the home. The neighbor reported seeing a car with a door open and a knife next to it.

Exorcism is a ritual aimed at defeating purported evil spirits or demons. Authorities did not provide additional details on why they suspected exorcism.

"Investigators have learned that the two defendants believed that they were performing an exorcism. The investigation into this motive and other aspects of the crime continue at this point," police said.
Police were called to the home Thursday over reports of an unattended child in a car. By the time they got there, the child was not in the car and no one came to the door, authorities said.

"Prior to officers arriving, two women exited the townhouse, retrieved the child and re-entered the home," Montgomery County Police said. "Officers attempted to speak with the residents, but received no response at the door. "

After the neighbor's call, authorities notified county child protective services and asked them to follow up. It's unclear whether they did.

Both women are being held without bond. Information on their attorneys was not immediately available.

**SagesStone**

Sure is a good thing there's people like this to stop all the demons...

**kronk**

What a horrible fething story.

**Overlord Thraka**

Wow... Just wow... that happened less that 30 miles form where I used to live.

**Easy E**

Not much "there" there yet.

Stories like this always make me think of the movie Frailty.

**Medium of Death**

In this day and age why do people still believe in possession and exorcisms?

**Frazzled**

This is what happens when you don't have an old priest and a young priest.

**Snrub**

Eh... tasteless jokes aren't appropriate.

**Captain Fantastic**

Frazzled wrote:
This is what happens when you don't have an old priest and a young priest.

my sides have escaped le orbit xD

How does someone convince themselves that their children are possessed? She deserves whatever she gets. Same with the other woman for allowing what happened to occur. I feel even worse for the two kids who lived who now have to live with themselves and the shame of their mother.

**liquidjoshi**

Frazzled wrote:
This is what happens when you don't have an old priest and a young priest.

Well, I am an awful person for laughing at that.

**Frazzled**

Snrub wrote:
Eh... tasteless jokes aren't appropriate.

Dude its a board about toy soldiers. Tasteless jokes are required.

**WarOne**

Frazzled wrote:
Snrub wrote:
Eh... tasteless jokes aren't appropriate.

Dude its a board about toy soldiers. Tasteless jokes are required.

While I did like the joke, it doesn't have to be all the time. I just wouldn't pile on his belief that this is a terrible event done by a misguided person thinking they're doing good. Dismissing that opinion isn't constructive in this case.

**Frazzled**

WarOne wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
Snrub wrote:
Eh... tasteless jokes aren't appropriate.

Dude its a board about toy soldiers. Tasteless jokes are required.

While I did like the joke, it doesn't have to be all the time. I just wouldn't pile on his belief that this is a terrible event done by a misguided person thinking they're doing good. Dismissing that opinion isn't constructive in this case.

I'm not disagreeing. But then again coming from a church founded by Scots, our exorcists have the power of God AND Haggis, so we fear nothing.

**Snrub**

Oh Frazz, I wasn't commenting on your post.

I was commenting on my own post. I made a joke which I thought was rather funny but then I decided it was rather tasteless and decided to remove it, hence the edit on my post.

Sorry for any confusion.

**snurl**

Exorcism is not a crime.

**Snrub**

No, but killing your two children is.

**motyak**

Snrub wrote:
No, but killing your two children is.

Pretty much

**master of ordinance**

And this is why i hate reigious extremists.
Is there anything new?