A Fort Pierce woman was arrested Friday evening, accused of killing her own 6-year-old son while trying to exorcise demons from his body.
Rhonda Paulynice faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder.
Paulynice appeared before a judge on Saturday morning. The judge found probable cause on all three of her counts, which are: Second Degree Murder; Failure to Report Death; and Willfully Touching or Moving the Body, Clothing, Or Any Article Upon or Near the Body. The judge said no bond will be posted for the second degree murder charge pending further hearing.
“During the course of the interviews, our detectives learned that the mother last spoke to the child on May 18,” said St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro. “That’s when we believe the homicide occurred.”
Paulynice’s son, Ra’myl Pierre, was a student at Samuel Gaines Academy, but he hadn’t been to school since May 14 th .
Friday morning, the school asked a deputy to go to the boy’s home in the 2500 block of Bedford Avenue and talk to his mom to make sure Pierre was OK.
“She took him inside and directed and directed him to the bedroom where the deputy found the child deceased, laying in bed,” said Undersheriff John Bolduc.
Investigators believe the boy had been there since his death twelve days ago.
Del Toro said it’s unclear how the boy was killed, but said Paulynice told detectives she was working with God to remove demons from the boy’s body.
“And when the child had stopped moving and basically had passed away, at that point she felt the child had been released of those demons,” Del Toro said. “And she was waiting for him to come back."
Del Toro said the boy’s family and friends are devastated over Pierre’s death, described as a little boy full of joy and capable of lighting up a room.
Investigators are also having a difficult time with this case.
“Being a parent, being out on a scene like that, seeing a 6-year-old child that was killed for no other reasons than somebody being purely evil, it’s hard,” Del Toro said.
Paulynice is currently in the St. Lucie County jail.
An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday to determine how Pierre died.
The St. Lucie County School District sent the following statement:
"It is with profound sadness that St. Lucie Public Schools confirms the tragic passing of one of our students. Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who loved and cared for him during this incredibly difficult time.
We understand that the loss of a young life deeply affects our school community. Grief counseling and support services will be made available to both students and employees who may need assistance coping with this loss.
Out of respect for the family’s privacy, and the ongoing investigation, we will not be releasing any further information at this time."
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