May 1, 2008 12:12 pm US/Eastern
Woman Blames Grandson's Death On A Cult
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
A woman says her grandson from Baltimore was found dead in Philadelphia. That baby's grandmother says a religious cult is behind his death.
Mike Hellgren reports on the grandmother's reaction.
For two years, Seeta Newton says she begged members of a religious cult to let her see her daughter and six-month-old grandson, Javon. They refused.
She says Javon's body was found inside a South Philadelphia home Monday stuffed in a suitcase. She believes he was murdered in a cult ceremony.
"He wouldn't say amen and so they beat him and told everyone not to feed him because he had a demon inside," Newton said.
She claims the cult, working from a home on Robinson Street in Baltimore, brainwashed her daughter, keeping her and her son virtual prisoners.
"The baby was unconscious. They took him away, saying he'd be back," she said.
Inside the Robinson Street cult headquarters, there were bizarre rituals. Newton said members referred to themselves as king, queen and prince.
"They didn't believe in doctors or schools. They smoked marijuana and blew it into the baby's mouth," Newton said.
She said the cult members are long gone from their home on Robinson Street. While they're not charged with any crimes, she holds them responsible for murdering her grandson.
"I'm very angry. They hurt my little baby and now they should suffer themselves," she said.
Investigators say the tiny body was found in a suitcase in a shed, which was outside the home that's part of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Whoever put it there used blankets and fabric softener to disguise the smell.
"Back around February, the Baltimore Police Department contacted Philadelphia Police to assist them in an investigation they had been working for some time," said Frank Varone with Philadelphia Police.
Within the past 24 hours, the Philadelphia coroner ruled the death a homicide. Baltimore City Police have not said whether the discovery in Philadelphia is indeed linked to Baltimore. They're waiting for DNA tests.
"We'll determine whether those remains are the remains of the 18-month-old and what is the cause of death," said Troy Harris with Baltimore City Police.
The grandmother says she begged her daughter to let her see the child one more time and now fears the worst.
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