A 34-year-old woman from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to kill her son under the influence of demons. Edwina Marie Stoutenburgh is facing serious charges, including attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault, after an unsettling and chaotic scene unfolded at her home.
Authorities say Stoutenburgh claimed that two demons, named “Bondage” and “Infirmity,” had taken control of her, forcing her to commit grotesque acts, including slitting her son’s throat.
The Incident
On Sunday, deputies from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbing call about a child’s throat being cut. The call had been placed by Stoutenburgh’s husband, who was at work when his wife reportedly called him and claimed that “they” (the demons) had taken over her mind and ordered her to kill their children.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found Stoutenburgh outside, partially undressed, and immediately detained her.
Stoutenburgh’s Claims of Demonic Control
Stoutenburgh allegedly told deputies that the voices she had been hearing all morning were the demons “Bondage” and “Infirmity.” She claimed that the demons had taken control of her actions and forced her to do unnatural things, including eating dog feces.
She also confessed to cutting off the head of a pet duck the family had recently euthanized, eating one of its eyes, and placing its severed head on a cutting board in the kitchen, alongside a bloody spoon.
According to police reports, Stoutenburgh said the demons ordered her to drink her son’s blood and kill her children and husband. However, she claimed she did not want to hurt her children but was unable to resist the demons’ commands.
The Attempted Murder of Her Son
In a chilling revelation, Stoutenburgh confessed to attempting to kill her son, who was asleep in his room. She told police that she rolled him over, pulled his head back, and tried to slit his throat with a knife.
Stoutenburgh claimed the knife was too dull to cut through her son’s skin, so she went to sharpen it as instructed by the demons. However, she never returned to her son’s room.
The Children’s Witness to the Horror
Stoutenburgh’s other children were reportedly witnesses to their mother’s disturbing behavior. She allegedly told them to take the car keys and drive away because she was going to kill them. Authorities reported that the boy she allegedly attacked sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Stoutenburgh’s Arrest and Legal Charges
After the incident, Stoutenburgh was arrested and taken to the emergency room. She has been charged with attempted second-degree murder without intent and second-degree assault. As of now, she is being held at the Pennington County Jail without bond, and her first court appearance is scheduled for July 28, 2024.
This disturbing case has raised questions about mental health, the influence of delusions, and the safety of children in such environments.
Stoutenburgh’s family is left grappling with the aftermath of her actions, and authorities continue to investigate the case. The community is in shock over the events that took place in the quiet town of Thief River Falls.
