( KRON ) — A mother, uncle, and grandfather are charged with performing a torturous exorcism inside a San Jose church that killed 3-year-old Arely Naomi Proctor. The girl’s three accused killers appeared inside a courtroom for a preliminary hearing Tuesday and prosecutors outlined their case against the family.
Investigators said Arely died on Sept. 24, 2021, inside a small Pentecostal church, Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas, when her family attempted to cast an “evil demon” out of her.
On Tuesday, defense attorneys cross-examined San Jose Police Department Lt. J.J. Vallejo. Arely’s mother, 26-year-old Claudia Hernandez, listened to Vallejo’s testimony while she swiveled in her chair, rested her head on her palm, and periodically yawned.
Claudia Hernandez, her 20-year-old brother, Rene “Aaron” Hernandez Santos, and her father, church pastor Rene Trigueros Hernandez, are charged with felony child abuse resulting in death.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney merged their three cases into one. If convicted, they could face life in prison.