Mom charged with
killing 2 children while performing exorcism ...A mother and another woman were charged on
Jan. 18, 2014 in the deaths of two young children.
Montgomery, Md. County Police say the women
believed they were performing an exorcism on the toddlers, according to The Republic. Monifa Denise Sanford, 21, and Zakieya Latrice
Avery, 28, were each charged with two counts of
First Degree Murder and two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, according to MY Fox DC. Fox reports that Avery’s two children – Norell
Harris, 1, and Zyana Harris, 2 – suffered multiple
stab wounds. According to The Republic, the deceased
children’s siblings were taken to a local hospital
with injuries. Police posit the two women believed they were
performing an exorcism on the children. Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger
told Fox, “Cases like this are heartbreaking… Our
thoughts are with the family and friends of the
victims along with the 911 operators, police
officers, evidence technicians, and fire and EMS
personnel that responded.”