A 3-year-old girl named Arely Naomi Proctor was found dead after being subjected to an exorcism at a California church, where she was tortured by her family members, including her mother, uncle, and grandfather, who believed that she was possessed by a demon. Arely’s body was covered in wounds that she sustained while being forcibly grabbed by the neck during the exorcism. Despite her desperate attempts to escape, Arely told her mother “I love you” during the ordeal, which tragically ended in her death.
The family members, Claudia Hernandez, Rene “Aaron” Hernandez Santos, and Rene Trigueros Hernandez, were arrested months after Arely’s death and have pleaded not guilty to felony assault on a child younger than 8 causing death. The court is set to rule on May 10 on whether the case can proceed to trial, as authorities gather more evidence and testimonies related to the brutal incident.
Claudia initially claimed that Arely was possessed and exhibited strange behavior with empty eyes before the exorcism took place. She asserted that she believed her daughter was hosting an evil spirit and attempted to induce vomiting, resulting in a struggle that ended tragically. The family brought Arely to the church for a prayer ceremony, where they held her in a “superman” position above the floor, further contributing to her injuries and eventually causing her death.
Further investigation revealed that Claudia contacted police, claiming she spoke with God daily in the weeks leading up to Arely’s death, stating that God revealed he would take her daughter on September 24. Claudia admitted to being responsible for her daughter’s death in some way, accepting what she believed was God’s plan for Arely. Subsequent investigations led to charges being brought against Claudia, Aaron, and Rene for their roles in the young girl’s tragic demise.
Aaron, the uncle, had also believed that Arely was possessed and had special gifts from God, such as speaking in tongues and healing abilities. He admitted that the prayer ceremony may have contributed to his niece’s death, prompting him to question his abilities. Arely’s grandfather, who was the pastor of the church where the exorcism took place, supported Claudia’s belief that the child was going to die, indicating that he trusted her statements without question despite the tragic outcome.
Prosecutors presented evidence indicating that Claudia’s actions directly caused Arely’s death, emphasizing that the family members should stand trial for the horrific incident. The case is ongoing, with Claudia, Aaron, and Rene facing charges related to the death of the young girl. The trio remains in custody without bail, awaiting the ruling scheduled for May 10. The church where the exorcism occurred had previous connections to criminal activities, highlighting the disturbing nature of the events surrounding Arely’s death and the broader implications of religious practices gone awry.
