Providentia

California Mother on Trial in Exorcism-Related Death of Young Daughter

On September 2024 2021, a small Pentecostal church in San Jose became the scene of an alleged exorcism aimed at casting out the demon believed to be possessing three-year-old Arely Naomi Proctor.    The child’s mother, Claudia Hernandez-Santos, her uncle, Rene Aaron Hernandez-Santos, and her grandfather, Rene Trigueros Hernandez, all took part in the exorcism and have been charged with the young girl’s death.   All three were part of the Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas church and came to believe that Arely's nighttime crying and screaming were signs of demonic possession.

On the day of Arely's death, Hernandez-Santos reportedly received a vision from God, telling her that her daughter needed to die. This conviction led her to strangle and smother Arely over a grueling 12-hour period. No one in the church called for medical assistance, and the police were only notified hours after Arely had passed away.

The details that emerged from the investigation are harrowing. Arely's body showed multiple injuries around her eyes, face, neck, and chest.  The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide caused by asphyxiation. 

The police report on the case stated that "“Defendant still believed the victim to be possessed. Defendant stated she held the victim around her waist and neck to help her throw up, which she believed would help her get the spirit out. At times Defendant attempted to open the victim’s mouth with her hands. At some point, victim’s grandfather arrived at the church to assist them in prayer, After that, defendant, victim’s uncle and victim’s grandfather were all holding victim attempting to cause her to vomit. One individual was holding victim by the neck, while one held her around her abdomen, and the last held her around her legs.”   They then spent several hours trying vomiting until Arely "vomited a clear/purple liquid."

Hernandez-Santos has since told investigators that she did not believe she was doing anything wrong and acted on the belief that she was following divine instructions.   In a statement to her Youtube followers, she stated that : "I could sit here and be negative … be sad about the whole situation that she passed away. But it’s like, there is no point because it is what it is. It’s many reasons why God took her. What if something would have happened to her, what if she would have had a sickness? It is what it is. I gotta be positive about the situation. You know, like at least she’s not suffering."   None of the other accused have shown any remorse for their actions, and a judge recently ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the trio to stand trial. If convicted, they face life sentences.

Hernandez-Santos has been held without bail for the past 30 months, with prosecutors emphasizing her significant flight risk. The family members, deeply entrenched in their religious beliefs, remain steadfast in their innocence, complicating the legal proceedings and raising questions about the role of religious extremism in modern society.

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"Possessed" Charged with Murder and Cannibalism in Las Vegas

In a harrowing incident that seems straight out of a horror movie, Colin Czech, 29,was arrested following a gruesome murder in Las Vegas in which he was caught eating parts of his victim’s face. Occurring at a bus stop along Las Vegas Boulevard at 4:44 pm on April 28, witnesses reported Czech got into an altercation with the victim , identified by news sources only as “Kenneth”. After a 45 minute argument, Czech then attacked his victim and began “eating” parts of his face.

When Las Vegas police arrived on the scenic, they found Czech kneeling next to the victim with ‘’biological matter in his hair, mouth and on his clothing,’’ documents said. The victim was taken to hospital with gashes to his face and missing an eye and an ear. He was later declared dead by medical staff.

Arrested and charged with open murder, Czech was booked into jail. During his interrogation, Czech insisted that the victim had attacked him first. He then admitted to using his ‘’teeth to eat (Kenneth’s) eyeballs and ears,” though he blamed his actions on being “possessed,” and that he was a homeless man who had been “awake for five days straight.”

According to Chief Deputy Public Defender David Westbrook during a brief court hearing Wednesday morning, “I’ve spoken to him, and I’ve determined that he is incompetent.’ While Czech has been arraigned, his case is on hold while he undergoes treatment.

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Parents and Smartphones: A Healthy Mix?

A new survey out says 64 percent of Americans own a smartphone. Which is interesting because, in a related survey, 100 percent of smartphones say they own an American. —Jimmy Fallon

In the digital age, the way we connect with each other is constantly evolving, especially with the new importance that smartphones play in our lives. And the smartphone revolution is only just beginning.

But what does this current fascination with smartphones mean for some of the most intimate relationships in our lives, including how parents interact with their children? A new research study published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media reveals some intriguing patterns when it comes to parents of young children and how they use their smartphones during the course of an average day.

Conducted by Brandon T. McDaniel of the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and his co-authors, the study is based on a recent survey of 183 families with young children around the age of three years and examined smartphone use by both parents. Along with looking at phone-related activities, such as texting, calling, using social media, and even mobile gaming, the researchers also examined what the parents themselves thought about their smartphone use and whether it cut into family time.

To read more , check out my new Psychology Today blog post here.

Kentucky Pediatrician Faces Jail Sentence in "Death Spell" Murder Plot

In a shocking case from Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Stephanie Russell, a 52-year-old pediatrician, is facing trial after being arrested in 2022 for a bizarre murder plot directed at her husband.  ,Along with asking staff members to help kill her husband, she also sent repeated Whatsapp messages to various purveyors of the supernatural for "death spells"  before finally hiring a hitman who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.

Initially, she used Whatsapp to send messages to various "witch doctors" to cast a death spell on her husband, apparently in an attempt to gain sole custody of their two children.   The various messages showed a bizarre propensity for bargain hunting as she attempted to negotiate a "cash on delivery" deal using such exotic methods as Quimbada or Voodoo. Some even offered a money back guarantee.

 Unsatisfied with the progress, she then sought out a hitman using received a phone number  supplied by the FBI who were acting on a tip from someone in her office.  After agreeing on a price of $7000.00 and leaving a partial prepayment at an arranged location, she was then arrested.

Dr. Russell's mental health has been a key point in her defense, with her lawyer highlighting her severe mental disturbances. Now facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted, her case raises complex questions about mental health and criminal responsibility. To read the full story, visit the Daily Star's report.

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Investigation Underway in Taiwan Exorcism Death

In a horrifying incident from Yunlin, Taiwan, a young man's life was tragically cut short following a harrowing ordeal  intended to cure his mental illness. On December 2 of last year,  a family, driven by  belief in the need to purge "impurities," subjected their 28-year-old loved one, identified only as "Chen," to a fatal exorcism ritual.

The ritual, aimed at extracting supposed "evil" through the removal of saliva, was considered justified by family members who believe Chen was under the influence of malevolent forces. This belief took root after Chen exhibited changes in behavior, marked by a period of returning home late, followed by days without food or drink. Despite a hospital visit that did not yield improvements, his family concluded that his condition was supernatural in nature.

The exorcism, performed in the presence of an ancestral shrine at their home, saw Chen restrained and subjected to extreme measures by his own family members in a desperate attempt to "cure" him. The ordeal ended in tragedy, with Chen's suspected cause of death being suffocation, pending confirmation from an autopsy.

This incident, now under investigation detained Chen's parents and brother on suspicion of causing death through their actions, reflects the deep stigma surrounding mental illness  and the extreme lengths to which fear and superstition can drive families seeking to avoid disgrace.

This Tragic story serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for education and awareness about mental health issues. It underscores the importance of seeking professional help and the dangers that unchecked superstitions can pose to society's most vulnerable. 

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UK Trial Explores Faking Mental Illness in the Courtroom

 

The case of Robert Charnock, accused of murdering his neighbor Kenneth Wallis, presents a complex intersection of mental illness and criminal responsibility. This trial, unfolding in London, delves into the intricate and often misunderstood relationship between psychiatric disorders and criminal behavior.

Charnock, previously living amicably with Wallis, experienced a dramatic shift in their relationship following a drug incident. He alleged that Wallis provided him with crystal meth laced with fentanyl, leading to a near-fatal overdose. Upon his return, Charnock found his possessions missing, fueling a belief that Wallis intended to harm him. This marked the beginning of a dark path that culminated in Wallis's death in 2021.

Enter forensic psychiatrist Jason Quinn, whose testimony is pivotal. Quinn's assessment challenges the defense’s portrayal of Charnock as a schizophrenia sufferer. Instead, he suggests that Charnock's actions were influenced more by an antisocial personality disorder rather than a psychotic episode. Quinn points to Charnock's pattern of leveraging psychiatric symptoms to justify his actions, a manipulation tactic known as "impression management."

The crux of Quinn's testimony lies in differentiating between genuine schizophrenia symptoms and Charnock's alleged fabrication of these symptoms. Charnock claimed to hear the voice of "the Holy Ghost," instructing him to kill Wallis. However, Quinn observed inconsistencies in Charnock's behavior, especially his strategic emphasis on schizophrenia while neglecting other potential mental health issues.

This trial raises essential questions about the challenges faced by the legal system in cases involving mental health. The difficulty in distinguishing between genuine mental illness and feigned symptoms poses significant implications for justice and treatment. It underscores the need for meticulous evaluation in such cases, where the line between mental illness and criminal intent is blurred.

Furthermore, the Charnock case exemplifies the broader societal issue of addressing mental health within the criminal justice system. It highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and the potential consequences of misdiagnosis, both for the accused and the victims.

The unfolding of this trial is a reminder of the complexities inherent in cases where mental health and criminality intersect. It serves as a call to the legal and medical communities to work collaboratively, ensuring that justice is served while also addressing the intricate needs of those with mental health issues within the criminal justice system.

As the trial continues, one thing becomes clear: understanding the human mind remains one of the most challenging aspects of both psychiatry and the law. The case of Robert Charnock and Kenneth Wallis is a testament to this enduring truth, reminding us of the delicate balance that must be maintained between compassion and accountability.

UK Trial Explores Faking Mental Illness in the Courtroom

 

The case of Robert Charnock, accused of murdering his neighbor Kenneth Wallis, presents a complex intersection of mental illness and criminal responsibility. This trial, unfolding in London, delves into the intricate and often misunderstood relationship between psychiatric disorders and criminal behavior.

Charnock, previously living amicably with Wallis, experienced a dramatic shift in their relationship following a drug incident. He alleged that Wallis provided him with crystal meth laced with fentanyl, leading to a near-fatal overdose. Upon his return, Charnock found his possessions missing, fueling a belief that Wallis intended to harm him. This marked the beginning of a dark path that culminated in Wallis's death in 2021.

Enter forensic psychiatrist Jason Quinn, whose testimony is pivotal. Quinn's assessment challenges the defense’s portrayal of Charnock as a schizophrenia sufferer. Instead, he suggests that Charnock's actions were influenced more by an antisocial personality disorder rather than a psychotic episode. Quinn points to Charnock's pattern of leveraging psychiatric symptoms to justify his actions, a manipulation tactic known as "impression management."

The crux of Quinn's testimony lies in differentiating between genuine schizophrenia symptoms and Charnock's alleged fabrication of these symptoms. Charnock claimed to hear the voice of "the Holy Ghost," instructing him to kill Wallis. However, Quinn observed inconsistencies in Charnock's behavior, especially his strategic emphasis on schizophrenia while neglecting other potential mental health issues.

This trial raises essential questions about the challenges faced by the legal system in cases involving mental health. The difficulty in distinguishing between genuine mental illness and feigned symptoms poses significant implications for justice and treatment. It underscores the need for meticulous evaluation in such cases, where the line between mental illness and criminal intent is blurred.

Furthermore, the Charnock case exemplifies the broader societal issue of addressing mental health within the criminal justice system. It highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and the potential consequences of misdiagnosis, both for the accused and the victims.

The unfolding of this trial is a reminder of the complexities inherent in cases where mental health and criminality intersect. It serves as a call to the legal and medical communities to work collaboratively, ensuring that justice is served while also addressing the intricate needs of those with mental health issues within the criminal justice system.

As the trial continues, one thing becomes clear: understanding the human mind remains one of the most challenging aspects of both psychiatry and the law. The case of Robert Charnock and Kenneth Wallis is a testament to this enduring truth, reminding us of the delicate balance that must be maintained between compassion and accountability.

Exploring the Mind of Charles Manson

 In August 1969, a string of violent murders stunned the entire world. Charles Manson, whose name has since become synonymous with cult-led violence, was the mastermind behind the infamous "Tate-LaBianca" killings. The first killing occurred on the night of August 8–9, and the victims included pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four of her friends who were visiting that night.nson had apparently chosen the house where Tate lived because he believed a record executive who had rejected his songs was still living there. The following evening, the "family" also murdered supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their home in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles.

In the trial that followed, Manson and his followers testified that the killings had been intended to precipitate a race war since they intended their crimes to be blamed on black activists. As a result of his involvement in these killings, Manson was sentenced to death in 1971; however, his sentence was eventually reduced to life in prison. Manson would spend decades in jail until his death in November 2017 at the age of 83. Of his surviving followers, four remain in California prisons.

In August 1997, Manson, who was then 63 years old, was transferred to Pelican Bay State Prison for drug trafficking charges while in prison. Also known as California's "supermax" prison, Pelican Bay housed the most dangerous inmates who were serving long sentences (i.e., 25 to life with the possibility of parole). Due to being previously diagnosed with severe mental illness, Manson was housed in Pelican Bay's psychiatric service unit (PSU).

To read more, check out my new Psychology Today blog post.

Nurse Fatally Stabbed at Hawaiian State Hospital

Nurse Fatally Stabbed at Hawaiian State Hospital