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| I cant tell you how much this article hurts me... |
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The physical scars left on a 14-year-old Bloomington teenager may have healed, but investigators said the emotional damage from an attempted exorcism will likely linger.
The teen, identified by police only as Jacob, suffers from autism, a developmental disorder that impairs social interactionMonroe County sheriff's detectives said 22-year-old Edward Uyesugi II, a Paoli, Ind., resident and an usher at the Cherry Hill Christian Center, told the boy's family he could cure the teenager of the condition.
"(Uyesugi felt that) the boy could be prayed over and the demons could be cast out of him," Detective Brad Swain said.
The family said Uyesugi made the exorcism attempt in May in a bedroom at their home. Swain said Uyesugi "forced the boy down, punched him in the face several times, put his fingers in the boy's throat, causing him to vomit."
"When the family objected, Uyesugi told them that the vomit was demons being cast out," Swain said.
After the family called the church, which the family also attended, the pastor notified authorities of the incident.
The boy's mother told investigators that after the exorcism attempt, the boy's face was nearly twice its normal size, and his eyes were swelled nearly shut, according to police. She told investigators that Uyesugi had pried the boy's eyelids open when the boy attempted to close them, authorities said.
The church's associate pastor had no comment Tuesday about the case.
In a statement to investigators, Uyesugi denied being the person who initiated the praying. A warrant has been issued for Uyesugi's arrest. He faces charges of confinement and misdemeanor battery with bodily injury.
The suspect and the teen's family no longer attend the Bloomington church. |
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| To add a comment to "I cant tell you how much this article hurts me..." |
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| August 14, 2007 |
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| As the parent of a person with a developmental disability this is very disturbing. I can't imagine somebody doing this to my son. Actually, I'd be typing this in a jail cell awaiting sentencing if it had been my son. Because Uyesugi would be six feet deep. Anyway, I know that sounds bad, but I'm a dad. |
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| August 14, 2007 |
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We die for the lack of knowledge. I have no doubt that demons could possess a person, but autism has some very basic roots that are well known and understood. To read about how my little autistic boy loves the Lord, click here. |
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| August 14, 2007 |
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| My Son has Autism also. I see what an awesome and great Soldier my son is for the Lord. i cant understand what the parents were thinking. even if their son was one of the very severe cases of Autism I cant see doing this. I cant understand and honestly it scares me so much to think people like this are the church and clergy, caretakers, "safe" people that are there to create safe havens for parents and for our children. In a school if a teacher was to offend a child in such a way there is a special charge for that, something about being in a position of authority, how does that apply to this child? Who is going to help this child understand that Love unconditional is not what this man portrayed, this is not "the church" this is one mans problem. one mans lack of knowledge. Bue even though this is one mans problem it will take years, and years for this child to heal. Autism, Although I would never change my child, is not a forgiving or forgeting diagnosis. It will take years to change this. my heart feels for this family, my heart cries out to God for understanding. My heart breaks because we are starting yet another school year, new transitions and I like many parents am dreading the challenges. May God Bless the parents of these Children, As He already has... |
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| August 16, 2007 |
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| Terrible |
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| August 16, 2007 |
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| Very disturbing! Education, people! Stay in school! Read! Learn! Ignorance is killing us! (Good post, Dorcus!) |
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| August 16, 2007 |
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| This is unfathomable.Kathy you're right ignorance is killing us. |
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Video: Autistic Boy Hurt During Exorcism Attempt
