Toddler Boy Dies After Foster Parent Performed 'Exorcism'
North Carolina parents allegedly killed their adopted toddler boy after they performed an exorcism on him. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

A toddler boy from North Carolina has died after his foster parents allegedly performed an exorcism on him.

Surry County residents Joseph Paul "Joe" Wilson, 41, and Jodi Ann Wilson, 38, were taken into custody on January 13 following the death of their four-year-old adopted son on January 9.

Local media reported that the couple was accused of restraining and isolating Skyler and even performing an exorcism on him, in addition to other instances of "abuse," while he was in their care for two years.

According to the warrants, Jodi allegedly sent a picture to her husband of Skyler lying face down on the floor, covered in a sheet with duct tape securing the blanket to the ground, The Daily Mail reported.

Police noted that the toddler boy was sent to a local hospital on January 5 after sustaining "injuries related to the abuse" from his parents, and Child Protective Services was called on January 6.

The couple is currently being held in the Surry County Detention Center without bond.

Toddler Boy Died in Hospital After Foster Parents Allegedly Conducted Exorcism

Skyler was reportedly experiencing a seizure on January 5, and Joseph called 911 to report it. An investigator from Surry County claimed that Jodi can be heard in the background of the call saying, "It's my fault," WFMY 2 reported.

When EMS arrived, the boy was not breathing. He was then transferred to the intensive care unit at Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem.

According to WFMY 2, Skyler passed away on January 9. A physician told investigators that the boy's brain sustained damage from a lack of oxygen caused by restriction.

Search warrants showed that Jodi texted her husband hours before calling 911 to report that something had happened while swaddling Skyler.

Swaddling is a soothing technique to help babies fall asleep by firmly wrapping a blanket around a baby's body so they cannot move. However, it is not encouraged for kids old enough to roll over.

Related parties told WFMY that a former foster parent filed a report with the Department of Social Services (DSS) on December 7.

The parent told the outlet that they were concerned for the boy and his sibling's wellbeing after Jodi told them about the swaddling, food restriction, and exorcisms of the children.

Investigators said they found wrist and ankle restraints during searches of the Wilson home.

They also seized digital records from phones and computers and home surveillance videos that showed abuse before the boy's death. The couple is facing murder charges in the death of the toddler boy.

Toddler Boy's Former Foster Parent Reacts to His Death

Skyler's former foster mother described him as "a social butterfly with a big heart."

"He was so tiny and small but had a heart three times bigger than he was," she told Fox 8 on Tuesday.

"I want to love unconditionally and remember his smile and the little things... I want justice to be served," she added.

The toddler boy's therapist was also devastated by the news of his death.

She noted that the boy did have certain behaviors, but there was no need to take such a drastic measure, adding that he had been improving so much.

"That's why it's so heartbreaking and confusing," she said.

The Wilsons are set to be back in court on February 2. The other children in their home are now in DSS custody.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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