Mother Allegedly Kills 4-Month-Old Baby On Occultist's Demand As Part Of Human Sacrifice; Arrested

A woman in India was arrested for allegedly killing her 4-month-old baby as part of a human sacrifice at the behest of an occultist.

The incident took place in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. According to local media reports, the woman, identified as 35-year-old Manju Devi, was reportedly having an affair with an occultist, who asked her to sacrifice her child if she wanted her dreams to come true.

The woman decided to follow the occultist's command, and killed her child Sunday with a shovel in front of a black idol in her village, APN Live reported.

The police responded to the scene after receiving tips about the human sacrifice, and began an investigation into the incident. They also sent the child's body for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Devi was arrested by the police Sunday after the investigators recovered the shovel that was used to kill the child.

Since the incident, the occultist – who has not been identified – has been on the run.

The police are currently looking for the occultist responsible for influencing the woman, Deccan Herald reported, citing PTI.

Several people in rural parts of India believe occultists or other local healers can help them fulfill their wishes or treat health issues. These occultists often influence people to carry out human sacrifices.

In October, a father killed his 1-month-old baby as part of human sacrifice. The incident took place in the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. The accused, identified as Mohammad Suleman, fled his home with his child, and then threw the baby down from a height. Preliminary investigation revealed the man wanted to marry someone else and thought that the baby was a hurdle in his second marriage. He also believed because of the child, his first wife might not want to divorce him.

The same month, another father killed his 14-year-old daughter as part of an occult ritual in India. The man believed his teenage daughter was "possessed by a ghost." The accused, identified as Bhavesh Akbari, decided to perform an exorcism to free her daughter from the "ghost," which led to her death. The incident took place in the western state of Gujarat.