June 22, 2009

Mother set child alight in voodoo ritual


by Sara Levy

A New York City mother stands accused of dowsing her six-year-old daughter in rum then setting her alight as part of a voodoo ritual.

Marie Lauradin, 29, is alleged to have poured an accelerant over Frantzcia Saintil, causing the child’s body to be engulfed in flames.

Despite Frantzcia’s cries for help, she was washed down with cold water and sent to bed with serious burns covering 25% of her body.

Another relative found Frantzcia in bed the next morning and insisted on taking her to hospital.

Laruadin insists she did not notice her daughter’s burns until they arrived at the hospital.

The incident, which took place in February, was part of a voodoo ritual known as Loa.

“The child’s mother is alleged to have intentionally poured an accelerant over her young daughter’s body, causing her to be engulfed in flames,” said prosecuting Attorney Richard Brown.

Lauradin has been charged with first degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, she could be jailed for up to 25 years.

The girl’s grandmother, Sylvenie Thessier, 70, is also alleged to have taken part in the ritual and faces a separate trial on charges of first degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.

Frantzcia is now being cared for by foster parents.

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