A Minnesota woman, Edwina Marie Stoutenburgh, is facing serious felony charges after allegedly telling authorities that two demons compelled her to harm her children, including an attempt to slit her son’s throat, according to law enforcement and court documents.
Stoutenburgh, 34, was taken into custody Sunday after deputies from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbing scene at her home in Thief River Falls. Upon arrival, officers found Stoutenburgh partially undressed outside the home. She was immediately detained.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate KVLY, the call to police was placed by Stoutenburgh’s husband, who was at work when she allegedly called to say that “they” had taken over her and wanted her to kill their children. The “they,” Stoutenburgh later told police, were two demons she identified as “Bondage” and “Infirmity.”
Alleged Acts of Violence and Delusion
Stoutenburgh reportedly told officers that she woke up hearing voices that she could not control. The demons, she claimed, had overtaken her and forced her to engage in grotesque acts—including eating dog feces, decapitating a euthanized pet duck, and eating its eye.
Officers reported finding the duck’s severed head on a cutting board in the family’s kitchen, with a bloody spoon nearby.
Stoutenburgh also allegedly told authorities that the voices instructed her to drink her son’s blood, and to kill the rest of her children and husband.
Though she expressed to police that she did not want to harm her family, Stoutenburgh claimed she could not resist the control of the demons.
Attempted Attack on Son
According to court documents, Stoutenburgh entered her son’s bedroom while he was sleeping. She allegedly rolled him over, pulled back his head, and attempted to slit his throat with a kitchen knife. However, she told investigators the knife was too dull to break the skin.
She claimed the demons instructed her to sharpen the knife and try again. While she did sharpen it, she said she ultimately did not return to her son’s room.
Children Witnessed the Incident
Stoutenburgh’s other children were present and witnessed her behavior. She allegedly told them that she could not put down the knife and instructed them to take the car keys and flee, warning them that she planned to kill them.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press release that the boy who was targeted suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Stoutenburgh was taken to a nearby hospital before being transported to the Pennington County Jail, where she is being held without bond.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Stoutenburgh has been charged with attempted second-degree murder without intent and second-degree assault. Her first court appearance is scheduled for July 28.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Stoutenburgh will undergo a mental health evaluation. The case is ongoing, and additional charges could be filed pending further investigation.
The incident has shocked the Thief River Falls community, where neighbors told local outlets they had seen no prior signs of trouble.
If convicted, Stoutenburgh could face decades in prison.
