In a tragic turn of events, a Florida mother is accused of killing her 6-year-old son in a misguided attempt to “exorcise demons” from him, with law enforcement discovering the child’s decayed remains after a distressing 12-day wait.
Authorities found young Ra’myl Pierre lifeless in his bed on Friday at their Fort Pierce home. His absence from school for over two weeks prompted officials to alert the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, which led to the grim discovery.
The mother, Rhonda Paulynice, was taken into custody the same day, with officials confirming the arrest.
As of now, an autopsy is pending to determine the official cause and timing of the boy’s death.
Sheriff Richard Del Toro shared concerning insights during a news conference, revealing that Paulynice allegedly believed she was receiving divine instructions to rid her son of demons. “When she felt he had stopped moving and had essentially passed away, she concluded that he had been freed from those demons and was awaiting his return,” he remarked.
In the unsettling days leading up to the grim discovery, the 41-year-old mother filled her social media channels with cryptic and obsessive religious messages, reflecting her disturbed state of mind, as documented on her Facebook profile.
Del Toro described the harrowing scene investigators encountered at the family home, noting the mother’s erratic emotional state during the investigation. “As parents, witnessing something so horrifying—seeing a 6-year-old child taken for reasons rooted in sheer evil—is unbearable,” he stated. “Everyone who knew this child, who supposedly brightened every room, will undoubtedly face immense heartache.”
Reports indicate law enforcement had been called to the residence multiple times since January due to domestic disputes involving the troubled mother and her sister, who previously resided with them. Significantly, Ra’myl was never reported as being part of those conflicts.
The last interaction police had with the home was on May 17, just a day before they believe Ra’myl was killed, in response to a reported medical issue. Officers reported seeing no indications that Paulynice posed a danger to her son at that time.
Paulynice now faces serious charges, including second-degree murder, failure to report a death, and tampering with evidence.
Priyam Gera