US: Man dies after police burst in on child exorcism

Police officers responding to a report of an exorcism on a young girl found her grandfather choking her and used stun guns to subdue the man, who later died.

The three-year-old girl and her mother, who was also in the room during the struggle between 49-year-old Ronald Marquez and officers, were taken to hospital, police in Phoenix, Arizona, said. Their condition was unavailable.

The relative who called police said an exorcism had also been attempted on Thursday.

“The purpose was to release demons from this very young child,” Sgt Joel Tranter said.

Tranter said officers arrived at the house on Saturday and entered when they heard screaming.

A bed had been pushed up against the bedroom door; the officers pushed it open a few inches and saw Marquez choking his bloodied granddaughter, who was crying and gasping.

A bloody, naked 19-year-old woman who police later determined to be Marquez’s daughter and the girl’s mother was in the room, chanting “something that was religious in nature”, Tranter said.

The officers forced open the door enough for one to enter, leading to a struggle in which two officers used stun guns on Marquez. The girl was freed and passed through the door to the relative.

Marquez was placed in handcuffs after a struggle with officers and initially appeared normal, but then stopped breathing. He could not be revived and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The cause of death was not immediately known, and autopsy results would probably will not be available for several weeks, Tranter said.

Tranter would not identify Marquez’s daughter and granddaughter but said they lived in the house with Marquez.

The mother was not arrested, but police are considering criminal charges.