Duo accused of burning child’s belongings, placing him in fire because they believed he was 'possessed by a demon'
12/20/2023 4:50 pm PST
SEBRING, Fla. (TCD) -- Deputies arrested a woman and fatally shot her boyfriend after the couple allegedly burned the belongings of the woman’s 9-year-old child because they believed he was "possessed."
According to Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, shortly after 4 p.m., deputies received a call regarding a "burning pile of debris" near the intersection of Bay Blossom Drive and U.S. 98. Highlands County Fire responded to the scene and were met by 39-year-old Richard Ham.
Deputies were also called in to assist, and upon their arrival, they observed Ham "armed with two metal rods."
The sheriff’s office said Ham didn’t follow their orders, and they Tased him, but it "did not appear to have an effect" on him. Ham reportedly took the Taser probes off, grabbed one of his metal bars, and then hit a deputy in the head.
According to Blackman, at around 4:22 p.m., a deputy shot Ham with an agency-issued firearm. In an update, Blackman said Ham’s girlfriend, 30-year-old Lakenya Phillips, pushed deputies as they tried to perform aid on Ham.
Officials transported Ham to a hospital, where he later died. The injured deputy was transported to a hospital, underwent treatment, and was released.
Further investigation revealed Ham and his girlfriend allegedly burned Phillips’ 9-year-old son’s belongings because they "believed he was possessed by a demon."
One witness reportedly saw Ham place the child into the flames, and he wrapped a blanket around him that was also ablaze. The child did not sustain critical injuries, but the Department of Children and Families took custody of him.
According to the sheriff’s office, Phillips and her son were classified as missing and endangered out of Wichita, Kansas, on Dec. 6, but officials do not know when they arrived in Highlands County or why.
Phillips’ son reportedly told officials "he had not bathed or brushed his teeth in at least 10 days as they traveled to Florida," and he had "not been fed for at least 24 hours."
According to Blackman, the boy said he witnessed Ham and Phillips use drugs regularly, and Ham threatened to hurt the child with a knife. Ham also allegedly told the 9-year-old he "had used that knife to kill someone."
Deputies located multiple firearms and drugs in the vehicle Ham and Phillips were using.
According to the sheriff’s office, Ham had previously been convicted of armed felonies and drug possession and was arrested in multiple states, including Arkansas, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Phillips faces charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and cruelty toward a child. She appeared in court on Wednesday, Dec. 20, and a judge ordered her to remain held in the Highlands County Jail without bond.
The state will reportedly seek a felony murder charge "in relation to her actions" that contributed to the shooting death of Phillips’ boyfriend.
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