Upon arrival, Paulynice, 41, was in the driveway. She proceeded to escort the deputy into the home, where the child was \u201cdiscovered deceased, lying on his bed,\u201d Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in a press conference.<\/p>\n
Investigators believe the child died on May 18, but an autopsy will provide more information, Del Toro said. Due to the amount of time his body was left on the bed, medical examiners could not determine the manner of death at the scene.<\/p>\n
May 18 was also the last day that Paulynice spoke to her son, detectives learned.<\/p>\n
According to Del Toro, Paulynice \u2014 who is the main suspect in the investigation \u2014 told detectives that she had attempted an exorcism on the 6-year-old, the exact details of which are not known.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we did learn in speaking with the mother is she believes she was being told by God to basically exorcise demons out of the child\u2019s body,\u201d the sheriff told reporters. \u201cAnd when the child had stopped moving and basically passed away, at that point she felt that the child had been released from those demons, and was waiting for him to basically come back, at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Del Toro also said that the 41-year-old mother exhibited \u201ca lot of highs and lows during the investigation, from laughing at different times at the scene to crying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paulynice was arrested and booked into jail on May 30. She was charged with second-degree murder, as well as failure to report a death and willfully touching or moving the body, clothing or any article upon or near the body, according to jail records. She is currently being held on a $150,000 bond.<\/p>\n
Prior to the discovery of the child\u2019s body, the St. Lucie County Sheriff\u2019s Office responded to the Fort Pierce residence before for \u201cdomestic issues\u201d involving Paulynice and her sister, Del Toro said, but none involving the mother and son.<\/p>\n
Most recently, officials reported to the home on May 17 due to a \u201cmedical issue\u201d of Paulynice\u2019s, the sheriff added.<\/p>\n
The following day, which is when detectives believe she killed her son, Paulynice shared an inspirational religious post on social media. She shared several similar posts in the days that followed, the most recent on May 29.<\/p>\n
Her final post featuring a photo of Pierre was dated Dec. 8, 2024.<\/p>\n
While expressing condolences for Pierre\u2019s family, classmates and teachers, Del Toro offered some insight into what the 6-year-old was like prior to his tragic death.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom what I understand, this kid just lit the room up, and was loved by everybody,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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