A 9-year-old girl was beaten to death with a cane during an exorcism in Sri Lanka, police said.
The girl’s mother and the woman she hired to expel the girl’s evil spirit were arrested and appeared in court on Monday after the fatal ceremony over the weekend.
The victim’s mother believed the girl was possessed by a demon and took her to the exorcist’s home in Delgoda, according to authorities.
During the ritual, the exorcist put oil on the girl and beat her repeatedly with a cane. She lost consciousness and died in the hospital, police said.
Area police are investigating whether the suspect, who is known for advertising demonic smelting services, has abused someone else.
With AP