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2 Md. women charged with killing kids in alleged exorcism to make first appearance in court

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This photo released by the Montgomery County Police Dept shows Zakieya Latrice Avery, 28. Montgomery County Police charged 21-year-old Monifa Denise Sanford and Avery with murder in the deaths of two of Avery's children, a 1-year-old and a 2-year-old. The women are also facing attempted murder charges for injuring the children's siblings, ages 5 and 8. (AP Photo/Montgomery County Police Dept.) (The Associated Press)

An undated photo released by the Montgomery County, Md., police department shows Monifa Denise Sanford. Sanford and Zakieya Latrice Avery are accused of killing two children. Police say the women thought they were performing an exorcism. (AP Photo/Montgomery County Police) (The Associated Press)

Two women who police say killed two children while performing what they thought was an exorcism are due in court.

Zakieya Latrice Avery and Monifa Denise Sanford are scheduled to make their first court appearance Tuesday afternoon. A judge will decide whether the women should remain held without bail.

The women are charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of two of Avery's children, ages 1 and 2. Police say two other children were found injured at Avery's Germantown home.

Police say the women have told investigators that they thought they were conducting an exorcism.

Court records don't list lawyers for either woman.