A nine-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 he hired to expel a bad spirit from the girl were arrested and appeared in court on Monday, following the fatal weekend ceremony.
The victim’s mother believed the girl had been possessed by a demon and took her to the exorcist’s home in Delgoda, according to officials.
During the ritual, the exorcist put oil on the girl and beat her repeatedly with a stick. He lost consciousness and died at the hospital, police said.
Police in the area are investigating whether the suspect, known for announcing demonic casting services, had abused anyone else.
With AP