Araceli Meza (Photo : YouTube)
A two-year-old boy who died last month was found out to have been starved by the pastors of a church they are a member of for more than 20 days as he was believed to be possessed by the demon.
The issue originally gained attention because the pastor and his wife did a "raising ceremony" as they tried to raise their child back from the dead.
However, USA Today revealed that the reason for the death of the child was that he was starved for more than three weeks. The pastors of the said church were identified as 42-year-old Daniel Zapata Meza and his wife 49-year-old Araceli Meza.
According to the witnesses, who are church members, the boy died on March 22 and was given only water for 25 days before dying. One of the witnesses told police officials that she tried to feed the baby but was scolded by the pastors of the church. The parents were identified Liliana Aparaicio and Zenon Aparicio.
The Mezas and the Aparicios reportedly went to Mexico with the body of the baby to do the "raising ceremony" last March 23. Police then arrested Araceli this Monday and charged with injury to a child and is now held in jail with a $100,000 bond.
According to Balch Springs Police Lt. Mark Maret, Araceli and the parents of the boy believed that if the baby did not eat, he will survive the demon inside of him. The body of the toddler has not yet been found as well as the parents and the husband of Araceli.
WFAA 8 reported that the church was called "Iglesia Internacional Jesus es el Rey" and it was also a rehabilitation center. The publication added in its report that the church held programs for children and even had women's conferences.
The members of the church saw Araceli as a prophet and is believed to have the ability to talk to God.
