This undated photo provided by the Balch Springs, Texas, Police Department shows Araceli Meza. Meza, who operated a church at her suburban Dallas home, has been arrested for allegedly helping starve a 2-year-old boy to rid him of a “demon,” then holding a resurrection ceremony shortly after he died to try to revive him, investigators said Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Meza was charged Monday with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission. (Balch Springs Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)
DALLAS – Authorities say a woman who operated a church in her Dallas-area home helped starve a 2-year-old boy to rid him of a "demon," then held a ceremony to try to revive him.
Balch Springs police said Tuesday that Araceli Meza (ar-uh-SEL'-ee MAY'-suh) encouraged the boy's parents to feed him only water for 25 days, then tried to "resurrect" him during a ceremony. Investigators believe the boy died but that his parents returned home to Mexico for the burial.
Lt. Mark Maret (MAYR'-et) says the 49-year-old Meza was charged Monday with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission. She's being held on $100,000 bond and has no listed attorney.
Police say they received a tip about a March 22 ceremony at the home to revive the American-born child.
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