North Carolina couple accused of performing ‘exorcism’ on adopted son, 4, who died
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The North Carolina parents have been arrested and charged for allegedly performing an exorcism on their four-year-old son, who later died.
Joseph Paul ‘Joe’ Wilson, 41, and Jodi Ann Wilson, 38, of Surry County, North Carolina, were arrested Jan. 13 after their adopted son, Skyler, died Jan. 9.
According to local mediathe couple allege restraining and isolating Skyler and performing an exorcism, in addition to other instances of ‘abuse’.
In the arrest warrants obtained by WFMY, Jodi is accused of sending her husband a photo of Skyler wrapped in a sheet face down on the floor with duct tape holding the blanket to the floor.
This is Skyler Wilson, 4, who died of injuries ‘related to abuse suffered by her parents’
Law enforcement officials say Skyler was taken to a local hospital on January 5 and Child Protective Services was called on January 6 after suffering “abuse-related injuries” from his parents.
The Wilsons are being held at the Surry County Detention Center without bond.
According to local media, Joseph called 911 on January 5 and reported that Skyler was having a seizure.
During the call, a Surry County detective said a woman, allegedly Jodi, could be heard in the background saying: ‘it’s my fault’.
When EMS arrived, Skyler was not breathing.
The boy was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he remained until his death.
A doctor told police that the boy’s brain had suffered damage from the lack of oxygen caused by the restraint.
Joseph Wilson, 41, and Jodi Wilson, 38, have been arrested and charged
Hours before Joe called 911 on Jan. 5 is when investigators say the photo was sent by Jodi to Joe’s phone, authorities said.
Along with the photo of the child wrapped in a blanket taped to the floor, Jodi allegedly wrote that something had happened while she was swaddling her son.
Swaddling is a calming technique used to help babies fall asleep. The tool includes tightly wrapping a blanket around the baby’s body so that she cannot move.
The technique has been correlated with increased chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and it is not recommended that children are old enough to roll over.
WFMY spoke to related parties who said the death came nearly a month after a former foster parent filed a report with the Department of Social Services.
The father told the outlet that they were concerned for the child’s well-being, as well as the well-being of the other children in the home, based on things Jodi had said.
“He was so tiny and little, but he had a heart three times the size of him,” said Skyler’s former adoptive mother.
The former foster parent said Jodi brought up diapers, food restrictions and exorcisms of children.
During house searches, investigators said that Wrist and anklets were found.
Police also took digital records from computers and phones.
The records included home surveillance videos showing abuse prior to the murder.
“This is a tragic event that resulted in the death of a precious child far too soon,” Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt said in a statement.
Skyler’s former adoptive mother who spoke with fox 8 in North Carolina described him as a social butterfly with a big heart.
“He was so small and tiny, but he had a heart three times the size of him,” she said. ‘I want to love unconditionally and remember his smile and the little things.’
Skyler’s former adoptive mother said Tuesday. I want justice done.
The boy’s speech therapist told Fox 8 that she was shocked and heartbroken to learn of his murder.
“It had improved a lot, and even if a child had certain behaviors, there’s still no need for something that drastic,” he said.
“That’s why it’s so heartbreaking and confusing,” he said.
The Wilsons will appear in court on February 2.
Other children were in the couple’s custody at the time of the incident.
The Surry County Sheriff’s Office said those children are currently in the care of the Department of Social Services.