A Humboldt County mother who tried to kill her 11-year-old daughter in order to cast out demons she believed to be possessing the child will reportedly spend at least six months in a mental hospital.
Kimberly Felder, 45, reportedly stripped her 11-year-old daughter naked and shoved sand into her eyes and mouth on a beach in Ferndale, California, before a good Samaritan intervened to stop her, ultimately saving the 11-year-old’s life.
According to CBS News, witness John Marciel said that Felder told him that she was trying to remove demons from her daughter. She then hit her daughter on the head with a piece of driftwood and attempted to restrain her. Marciel called 911 and remained on the phone with operators while he attempted to wrestle Felder to the ground to prevent her from further injuring her daughter.
According to the report, about 10 to 12 people were watching the attack. The girl sustained multiple injuries, including severe damage to her right ear. According to Sgt, Greg Allen, she will be placed in protective child custody.
After her arrest, Felder was initially found competent to stand trial. But she then entered a plea of insanity at the time of the attack.
Felder’s attorney, Public Defender Marek Reavis, said his client faces a minimum of six months in a mental hospital and then one year of outpatient treatment.
The bystander who singlehandedly stopped the assault, John Marciel of Eureka, was given a Citizen’s Distinguished Service Award and a medal for his heroic actions. Authorities have previously said that the girl might not have survived had Marciel not come to her rescue.
“The worst thing was when we got the child away and into the sheriff’s truck, she said people drove by and nobody stopped,” he said. “When you see something like this, it shakes your foundation and faith in people.”
Sources: OpposingViews, CBS News
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