KRON 4: Mom accused in San Jose church exorcism death has never shown remorse, prosecutor says
A mother who is accused of killing her daughter while performing a disturbing exorcism inside a San Jose church has never expressed remorse, prosecutors said.
Claudia Hernandez allegedly believed that her daughter, 3-year-old Arely Naomi Proctor, was possessed by a “demon” when the girl was tortured to death on Sept. 24, 2021, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said Arely’s mother, uncle, and grandfather killed the girl together inside a small Pentecostal church, Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas.
Claudia been locked in jail without bail for the past 30 months awaiting trial. Prosecutors are seeking to ensure that the mother and her co-defendants remain locked up until their jury trial. The trio has pleaded not guilty.
“The evidence presented at preliminary hearing shows the victim died during an ongoing assault … that took place over the course of approximately 20 hours. During this assault, Arely Doe fought for her life as the three defendants, all trusted adults, forcibly grabbed her neck, torso, back, and legs, (and) smothered her,” Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise wrote.