Florida mother arrested after dead kid found in bed 12 days after 'demon exorcism'

A Florida mother has been arrested after allegedly killing her 6-year-old son in a twisted attempt to exorcise "demons" from his body, authorities said. The child's decomposing remains were found nearly two weeks later, still lying in his bed.

Rhonda Paulynice , 41, was taken into custody Friday after police discovered the body of the kid at the family's home on Bedford Drive in Fort Pierce. The discovery came after school officials reported the boy had been absent for more than two weeks, prompting a welfare check.

"What we did learn in speaking with the mother is she believes she was being told by God to basically exorcise demons out of the child’s body," said St Lucie County sheriff Richard Del Toro at a press conference. "And when the child had stopped moving and basically passed away, at that point she felt that the child had been released from those demons."

Paulynice reportedly never sought medical help and instead waited for the child to "come back," believing he had been spiritually cleansed.

The cause and time of the boy's death remain pending an autopsy. Authorities say the child may have died around May 18, the day after deputies last visited the home for a reported medical issue, but found no immediate threat.

In the days following her son's death, Paulynice allegedly posted a series of cryptic and religious messages on social media, suggesting she was spiralling further into delusion.

Deputies noted her behaviour was erratic during their investigation, shifting between laughing and crying as they searched the home.

"Being a parent, being out on a scene like that, seeing a 6-year-old child that was killed for no other reason than just someone being purely evil, it's hard," sheriff Del Toro said. "From what I understand, this kid just lit the room up and was loved by everybody."

Authorities had responded to the residence multiple times since January for domestic disturbances involving Paulynice and her sister, though the kid had never been directly involved in those incidents.

Paulynice is now facing charges of second-degree murder, failure to report a death, and altering a body. She is being held at the St. Lucie County Jail.