Two women in North Carolina have been arrested after reportedly informing police that the horrific injuries and trauma inflicted on two babies were caused by wicked spirits or other paranormal activities.
Emily Marie Edwards, 25, and her mother, Sherrie Jean Edwards, 54, are charged with two counts of felony child abuse inflicting significant physical damage, according to Catawba County Jail records.
The Newton Police Department detained the couple last week after they were indicted on charges dating back to December 2023.
“The basic response was nightmares,” Newton Police Chief Vidal Sipe told Charlotte’s ABC station WSOC. “They heard the kids shouting, went over there, and saw injuries on the youngsters. So they’re suggesting that spirits were there in the house at the time and caused these injuries.
According to copies of the charges acquired by the TV station, officials believe that the ladies had a “reckless disregard for life” and caused “serious bodily injury” to the two small children.
According to law enforcement, the 1- and 2-year-olds suffered burns, bite marks, and shattered bones. The indictments also state that each youngster tested positive for fentanyl.
The infants’ injuries occurred inside an apartment on West C Street in Newton, a tiny town about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte.
Police believe a third adult, known only as a guy, was also responsible for the child abuse. But he died last year.
The women are the mother and grandmother of the two victims in this case. When questioned by authorities, they not only blamed demonic spirits but also claimed to have conjured spirits using an Ouija board, a famous children’s toy that promises to nurture spontaneous writing.
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Law enforcement, on the other hand, claims the two demon-possessed defendants are responsible for the infants’ serious injuries. Police say that the children suffered bruises and skin injuries that they both failed to notify.
A neighbor who talked with WSOC dismissed the purported haunted apartment allegation made by the two Edwards ladies.
“I think that’s crazy,” she added. “I don’t believe there’s any paranormal activity here.” Both the mother and grandma are being held on a $250,000 bond.
The younger defendant appeared in court over the weekend and has no other hearings planned as of this writing. The elder defendant is next scheduled to appear in court on October 7.
Law&Crime contacted the Newton Police Department for more information on this topic but received no answer by the time of publishing.