A mother is charged with the tragic death of her six-year-old son during a violent exorcism ritual, with his body found wrapped in cloth, leaving only his face visible.
Rhonda Paulynice told sheriffs “God told her to exorcise demons out of Ra’myl Pierre’s body.”
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Florida said deputies had attended Paulynice’s home in Fort Pierce last Friday due to “welfare concerns.”
They discovered the boy’s body in a bedroom. Investigators believe Ra’myl Pierre was killed on May 18.
Paulynice, 41, was arrested on May 30 on second degree murder.
According to her arrest records, the mom told investigators he had died after she put her hand over her six-year-old son’s mouth.
Paulynice also said she had started suffocating her young boy as he was “kicking and screaming” in bed, reported Treasure Coast Newspapers.
However, she had assumed that once the “demons” had gone, he would come back to life.
She had gone into the room and blown warm air on his face, and looked for signs of life, said the affidavit.
While her arrest records showed she was aware that Ra’Myl Pierre had died, she believed she had “freed him of a spirit he had in him.”
The Sheriff’s Office said on social media that on May 30, deputies had visited her home “to conduct a welfare check.”
This was due to a request by a school resource deputy following concerns of the child’s absence from lessons since May 14, the force added.
Paulynice told one deputy “she just hasn’t ‘put him back in school,’” according to the affidavit.
He had been attending Samuel Gaines Academy in Fort Pierce.
WRAPPED IN CLOTH
Investigators said, “Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the child’s mother, who directed them to a bedroom inside the home.
“Deputies found the child deceased in the bedroom.”
According to the affidavit, the deputy spotted a child on a bed “wrapped in fabric with only his face exposed.”
Paulynice allegedly later told investigators she was not in control of her “vessel” – referring to her body.
BLAMED GOD
She claimed that “God/Father” had told her what to do.
“Paulynice stated she would be kept awake at night by dreams from God/Father detailing events which were going to occur,” added the affidavit.
She reported noticing changes in her boy’s behavior “and believed him to be controlled by a ‘spirit’ and by an ‘enemy.’”
DEMONS
She also allegedly told detectives he died while she was trying to “exorcise demons out of her son’s body.”
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro reported, “In our conversation with the mother, she believed she received a divine instruction to expel demons from her child.”
He added, “When the child ceased to move and ultimately died, she thought he had been freed from the demons and was expecting him to return to life.”
Paulynice “acknowledged that she knew he had died, and she freed him of a spirit he had in him,” per the affidavit.
“Paulynice made references to ‘resetting her life’ and she stated she was put in a position where she had to ‘take her son’s life.’”
Although she appeared distraught, it did not appear sincere
The legal document added that the mom then moved Ra’myl Pierre’s body to another bed, where it was covered with his favorite blanket and around his head.
Paulynice told cops she had checked on her dead son daily.
Investigators wrote in their court report that she appeared “indifferent to her son’s death, the role she played in his death or her actions of not reporting his death.”
What has Rhonda Paulynice been charged with?
The Florida mother was arrested on May 30 and charged with the murder of her six-year-old son, Ra’myl Pierre
Rhonda Paulynice, 41, has been charged with second-degree murder.
The mom was also charged with failure to report a death and willfully touching or moving the body, clothing or any article upon or near the body, according to jail records.
She was booked into jail on May 30, and is currently being held on a $150,000 bond.
She was also reported as acting in an “odd” manner, for example not removing her sunglasses inside the home while speaking with cops.
“While she was in the residence, although she appeared distraught, it did not appear sincere,” alleged her arrest records.
This kid just lit the room up, and was loved by everybody
The mom went through “a lot of highs and lows during the investigation, from laughing at different times at the scene to crying,” Del Toro told reporters.
ABC-affiliated WPTV said the station had received body camera footage of the bizarre moments before Ra’myl Pierre’s body was found.
Paulynice was filmed using lip gloss while answering deputies’ questions about her son’s lengthy absence from school.
In the clip she told a deputy, “He’s going to go back to school. I’ll give them a call. I didn’t even realize that. I’ll call his teacher.”
SCHOOL TRIBUTE
Lt. Andrew Bolonka, the sheriff’s spokesperson, told reporters that investigators are waiting for toxicology results.
Del Toro said, “From what I understand, this kid just lit the room up, and was loved by everybody.”
A spokesperson for the St. Lucie County school district said students and staff will be offered grief counseling and support services.
St. Lucie Public Schools said in a statement, “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who loved and cared for him during this incredibly difficult time.
“Out of respect for the family’s privacy, and the ongoing investigation, we will not be releasing any further information at this time.”
Paulynice remains in custody after being booked into jail on May 30.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the sheriff’s office for further comment.
