Sisters 'burn five-year-old girl's face during VOODOO ritual to get rid of evil spirit inside her body'
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Two sisters have left a five-year-old girl scarred for life after they performed a Haitian voodoo ritual at her mum's request to get rid of an evil spirit inside her body, it was claimed.
The girl allegedly suffered third-degree burns when she was tied up and had fire blown over her face at least twice as she was tortured over several days.
Her brother, eight, told detectives that the suspects burned things over his sister, cut her and put a stinging substance into her eyes, claiming they were expelling a demon that was making her misbehave.
Sisters Rachel Hilaire, 40, and Peggy LaBossiere, 51, are also accused of blowing flames over the boy and threatening to cut off his head with a machete.
(Image: East Bridgewater Police)
(Image: East Bridgewater Police)
Police in the US city of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, were alerted in mid-January when officers in nearby Randolph asked them to check on a woman and her two young children.
The trio, from Randolph, were staying with the suspects at their flat in East Bridgewater.
Police went to a home and found girl with burns to her face, NECN reported.
She allegedly still had rope tied to her waist and entangled in her hair when she was rescued and taken to hospital.
The girl's mum told investigators that it was thought the youngster had an evil spirit inside her and the suspects used a Haitian voodoo ritual to get rid of it, Wicked Local reported.
The mum, a stylist who cuts LaBossiere's hair, asked the pair to carry out the ritual, said police.
The mum allegedly told detectives that the girl woke up with a large burn across her face that was caused by a demon leaving her body.
Police Detective John Grillo wrote in a report: "[The mum] stated that her children have been behaving badly due to evil spirits and that they perform prayers and use certain water and oils to make the demon leave."
The older brother told police that the suspects twice tied down the girl, securing her hands to a stick above her head and bounding her feet so she formed a cross.
LaBossiere is accused of setting a stick on fire and blowing flames over the girl's face as her mum and Hilaire allegedly held her down.
Detective Grillo added: "The victim stated that Peggy [LaBossiere] would lean over her and kiss all around her face like a snake and used a pointy object like a needle to cut her on her arm and collar area. [LaBossiere] cut her enough so that she bled.”
LaBossiere is also accused of putting water and a stinging substance, which looked like it came from a "green lemon", into the girl's eyes.
(Image: Google Streetview)
The boy was made to undress, was rubbed with a "plant-like substance" and had fire blown over him, said police.
LaBossiere allegedly threatened to cut off his head with a machete and held a long stick to his throat, making it difficult for him to breathe.
The children were taken into care and their mum was taken to a hospital for mental health treatment, it was reported.
Hilaire and LaBossiere, who were arrested on January 26, are being held on $50,000 (£35,000) bail, and are due to return to court next week.
They were charged with multiple offences including mayhem, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, threats to commit murder and battery with a dangerous weapon (large stick).
Both pleaded not guilty when they appeared in Brockton Superior Court this week.