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Florida Politician Performs Exorcism On 'Possessed' Daughter

Posted: 8:17 am EDT July 14, 2007Updated: 8:27 am EDT July 14, 2007

Police are investigating a city councilwoman and her husband are under investigation for performing an exorcism on their 18 year old daughter.

Police have recommended the State Attorney's Office file charges of battery and false imprisonment against Edgewater city councilwoman Debra Rogers and her husband, Daniel Rogers.

Investigators said the couple admitted they tried to exorcise the demons out of their daughter by pouring olive oil on her while they held her hands behind her back on June 27.

"I don’t think any person should have to endure what occurred that night," said Edgewater Police Detective Heather Brady.

Detectives said it all started when the 18-year-old got into a yelling match with her twin sister.

Her father told police he was trying to anoint his daughter with olive oil to "cast the demons out of her.”

Neighbors were surprised by the allegations. "Everybody's got their own beliefs. That's definitely not mine. It's a little far fetched I would think," said neighbor Lou Marcoccio.

Detective Brady said police believe this wasn't the first time this happened. "This is bizarre, but this apparently was a normal occurrence."

This time police found the teen's clothes torn off in the struggle and she had bruises on her arm and knees.

At first she was taken into police custody for a psychological evaluation, but she was released almost immediately.

The teen is now staying at a safe house. "Investigation has revealed she attempted to get away. She didn’t want that to occur, and she received injuries during that, " said Detective Brady.

The State Attorney's Office said this is still an active investigation and has not said whether they'll pursue charges.

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