3-year-old killed in exorcism told mom 'I love you' and tried to escape while being tortured, court docs say

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: A three-year-old girl died during a purported "exorcism" conducted by her family at the Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas church, located in downtown San Jose, on September 24, 2021.

Based on records provided by Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise, Arely Naomi Proctor suffered multiple wounds as her mother, uncle, and grandfather reportedly "forcibly grabbed her by the neck," attempting to expel what they perceived as a demon, as per the New York Post.

Arely Naomi Proctor's mother believed the three-year-old was possessed as her 'eyes looked empty'

"While this assault was ongoing, Arely struggled to escape from her abusers. The victim repeatedly said 'No!'" according to Wise's 50-page report. It also states that the three-year-old told her mother, Claudia Hernandez, "I love you," during the ordeal. 

Claudia, her brother, Rene Aaron Hernandez, and her father, Rene Trigueros Hernandez-Santos, were arrested months after Arely was found dead at the Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas church. 

All three have pleaded not guilty to felony assault on a child younger than eight causing death. On May 10, Judge Hanley Chew will decide whether the case can move to trial.

When authorities at the scene asked Claudia, then 25, what happened to her daughter, she said Arely was up crying the night before.

Claudia claimed, "Her eyes were different. They looked empty, and it 'wasn’t her,'" as per the court documents. She further noted, "What I believe is that she was possessed, you know, 'cause I go to church."

The mother disclosed she tried to make Arely throw up by putting her fingers in her mouth, but the toddler bit her. Then, Claudia and Aaron brought Arely to the church around 7 am and performed a prayer ceremony. 

Claudia and Aaron's father, Rene, was the church's pastor. He met them there around 12.20 pm on the day of Arely's death, according to the police.

The three of them then apparently held Arely up in the air in a "superman" position, suspended above the floor, as per Wise.

Claudia said that Arely told her "I love you" but she still thought the three-year-old was hosting an evil spirit. 

"After Arely threw up, Claudia said they put her on the floor. Claudia said this is when Arely stopped breathing. Claudia said God made her understand that Arely was not coming back and was gone," further states Wise's report. 

Arely's body was cold and her lips were blue by around 6 pm, as per KRON 4. In the report, Wise wrote, "This was the last time Claudia believed Arely to be alive." 

Arely Naomi Proctor died of mechanical asphyxiation and smothering

A medical examiner later concluded that Arely died from mechanical asphyxiation and smothering, resulting in severe injuries such as brain swelling, lung bleeding, neck trauma, and mouth wounds.

When questioned by the police about her daughter's death, Claudia admitted partial responsibility, as noted by Wise.

In October 2021, Claudia contacted the police herself and disclosed that she had been communicating with God regularly in the weeks leading up to Arely's death.

According to court documents, Claudia claimed that God informed her of Arely's impending death on September 24 and suggested that she was never meant to be a mother. The mother further stated that she had "learned to accept what it is."

In January 2022, Claudia was arrested and charged after the police concluded that she had smothered and strangled Arely until she died from asphyxiation. A few days before her arrest, Claudia posted a smiling video on YouTube, repeatedly saying, "It is what it is."

Arely Naomi Proctor's uncle admitted the prayer ceremony might have contributed to her death

Arely's uncle, Aaron, then 29, and her grandfather, Rene, then 59, were arrested and charged with felony abuse in May 2022.

Aaron claimed to have special "gifts" from God, such as speaking in tongues and healing. He believed Arely was possessed on the day she died and admitted that the prayer ceremony might have contributed to her death.

In the report, Wise penned, "He said it was possible that the way he was holding her caused Arely to die. He said there were times when God would tell him to squeeze her harder. Arely’s death made him question his gift to heal."

Rene told police that Claudia predicted Arely's death and maintained the three-year-old wasn't a "normal little girl." When asked why he believed what Claudia said, Rene shrugged and noted he believed everything his daughter was saying to him.

In a recent court filing, prosecutors argued that they had enough evidence for the three relatives to stand trial for Arely’s death. Claudia, Aaron, and Rene are scheduled to appear in court on May 10 and are currently held without bail.