Man Accused Of Battery During Exorcism Attempt

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The physical scars left on a 14-year-old Bloomington teenager may have healed, but investigators say the emotional damage from an attempted exorcism will likely linger.

The teen, identified by police only as Jacob, suffers from autism, a developmental disorder that impairs social interaction.

Monroe County sheriff's detectives say 22-year-old Edward Uyesugi II, a Paoli resident and an usher at the Cherry Hill Christian Center, told the boy's family he could cure the teenager of the condition.

"(Uyesugi felt that) the boy could be prayed over and the demons could be cast out of him," Detective Brad Swain told 6News' Ben Morriston.

The family said Uyesugi made the exorcism attempt in May in a bedroom at their home.

Swain said Uyesugi "forced the boy down, punched him in the face several times, put his fingers in the boy's throat, causing him to vomit."

"When the family objected, Uyesugi told them that the vomit was demons being cast out," Swain said.

After the family called the church, which the family also attended, the pastor notified authorities of the incident.

The boy's mother told investigators that after the exorcism attempt, the boy's face was nearly twice its normal size, and his eyes were swelled nearly shut, according to police. She told investigators that Uyesugi had pried the boy's eyelids open when the boy attempted to close them, authorities said.

The church's associate pastor had no comment Tuesday about the case.

In a statement to investigators, Uyesugi denied being the person who initiated the praying.

A warrant has been issued for Uyesugi's arrest. He faces charges of confinement and misdemeanor battery with bodily injury.

The suspect and the teen's family no longer attend the Bloomington church.