In a deeply disturbing case out of Florida, a 6-year-old boy, identified as Ra’myl, was found dead in his bedroom after his 41-year-old mother, R. Paulynice, claimed she had been performing a spiritual ritual to “cast out demons.” Paulynice has been charged with second-degree murder, failure to report a death, and altering a dead body, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Discovery of Ra’myl’s Death
The heartbreaking discovery came after Ra’myl had been missing from school since May 14, leading a school resource officer to alert authorities about his unexplained absence. On May 30, the sheriff’s deputies conducted a welfare check at the family’s home.
Paulynice, who was in the driveway when deputies arrived, led them inside and directed them to Ra’myl’s bedroom, where they found the boy deceased, wrapped tightly in fabric with only his face exposed.
Paulynice told authorities that she had been trying to “remove evil spirits” from her son, claiming she was following divine instructions. The sheriff’s office believes Ra’myl died on or around May 18, which was the last day Paulynice claimed to have spoken to him. Shockingly, she never reported the child’s death and allowed his body to remain undisturbed for nearly two weeks.
Emotional Disturbance and Erratic Behavior
During the investigation, Paulynice showed disturbing emotional behavior, fluctuating between crying and laughing in front of deputies. Sheriff R. Del Toro described her as having an erratic demeanor, adding that the deputies had been to the family home before, including a visit on May 17 due to a medical issue involving Paulynice.
There had also been previous reports of domestic disputes between Paulynice and her sister, though none had involved the child.
Admission of Spiritual Beliefs
In interviews with police, Paulynice admitted she believed she was trying to “exercise demons out of the child’s body.” She stated that after Ra’myl stopped moving, she believed the child had been freed from the demons and was waiting for him to return.
Sheriff Del Toro explained, “When the child had stopped moving and basically passed away, at that point she felt the child had been released of those demons and was waiting for him to come back.”
Investigation and Legal Action
The cause of Ra’myl’s death is still under investigation, with autopsy results pending. Paulynice appeared in court on Saturday, where the judge denied her bond, and she remains incarcerated in the county jail as investigations continue. The case has left the local community devastated, with neighbors expressing shock and sorrow.
One neighbor shared, “I’m devastated, I’m sick to my stomach.” Sheriff Del Toro described Ra’myl as a “child who lit up the room,” emphasizing the emotional toll such cases take on law enforcement officers. He stated, “Our deputies see things that nobody should have to see,” adding that this incident highlights the “pure evil” that can exist in the world.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Efforts for Justice
In the aftermath of the tragedy, community members gathered outside the Paulynice residence, placing balloons and tributes in memory of Ra’myl. The sheriff’s office also acknowledged the emotional burden faced by their officers.
“Being a parent, being out on a scene like that, seeing a six-year-old child that was killed for no other reason than just someone being purely evil, it’s hard. It’s hard to just go home and act like nothing’s happened.”
Authorities have vowed to pursue justice for Ra’myl and ensure Paulynice is held fully accountable for the death of her young son. The investigation is ongoing, and a formal resolution is still pending as the legal process unfolds.