- Image by Davezilla was taken via Flickr
Authorities investigating the case of a child’s body being found by two fishermen in the Passaic River at Clifton, new Jersey, have suggested a religious ritual may be to blame but have not explained why.
The body has been identified as Imani Joyner due to a bracelet on her wrist. Imani died of pneumonia in 2007. She was buried in Stamford in April 2007.
Imani was born with semilobar holoprosencephaly. The condition prevented her brain from developing fully and doctors predicted she would survive only a few days. She survived years and became known as the “miracle baby”.
“We believe she was targeted because she was dubbed ‘the miracle baby’ and people thought she had mystical powers,” Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin said to press on Thursday.
Conklin also gave the initial indications that the practice of Palo Mayombe may be connected with the removal of Imani’s body from her grave.
In Pure Spirit
What do you know about Palo Mayombe? Do you think the police are right to suggest there’s a connection between this religion and the body theft without explaining why?
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