Mother charged with murder after claiming she killed son to “exorcise demons”

In a chilling case that has shocked the state of Florida, a 31-year-old mother, Rhonda Paulynice, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the death of her six-year-old son, Ra’myl Pierre.

According to authorities, Paulynice claimed she was carrying out a divine command to “exorcise demons” from the child’s body.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro revealed the tragic development during a press briefing, explaining that Ra’myl’s school had requested a welfare check after the child had been absent for over two weeks without explanation.

Deputies responded to the family’s home in Fort Pierce—about two hours southeast of Orlando—on Friday, where they discovered the young boy’s lifeless body on his bed.

“She believed she was being told by God to exorcise demons out of the child’s body,” Sheriff Del Toro said. “When the child had stopped moving and passed away, she believed he had been freed of the demons and was waiting for him to come back.”

Authorities believe Ra’myl may have died around May 18. An autopsy is underway to confirm the exact cause of death.

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In addition to the murder charge, Paulynice is also facing a charge of altering a dead body. Sheriff Del Toro explained that the additional charge is tied to Paulynice’s attempt to “preserve” her son’s body following his death.

The sheriff, visibly emotional during the briefing, acknowledged the mental and emotional toll such cases take on law enforcement officers. “Our deputies see things that nobody should have to see. We are exposed to a great deal of trauma on this job,” he said.

“Being a parent, being out on a scene like that, seeing a six-year-old child that was killed for no other reason than somebody just being purely evil…it’s hard,” he added.

Del Toro extended his condolences to Ra’myl’s loved ones, particularly his school community. “From what I understand, this kid just lit up the room and was loved by everybody,” he said.

The case remains under active investigation, and authorities are working closely with child welfare officials and mental health professionals. Paulynice is currently in custody as she awaits court proceedings.