California woman accused of beating, choking daughter in attempted exorcism

EUREKA, Calif. – A Northern California woman is being held on suspicion of beating, biting and choking her 11-year-old daughter in an attempt to perform an exorcism on the child.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s officials say 45-year-old Kimberly Felder stripped her daughter naked and shoved sand into her mouth before a witness tried to stop the attack at a secluded beach Friday.

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The witness, John Marciel, said Felder told him she was trying to remove demons from her daughter. He said she continued to hit her daughter in the head with a piece of driftwood while he tried to restrain her.

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The mother was later arrested for investigation of attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse and aggravated mayhem.

The girl was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries.