Aracely Maza

(1966-?)

Aracely Meza, a Dallas pastor who ordered a 2-year-old boy to be starved to death in order to get rid of a “demon,” was sentenced to 99 years in prison, ABC News is reporting.

In 2018, a jury convicted the 52-year-old of felony injury to a child causing serious bodily injury for a series of events that took place in 2015.

Investigators say Meza and the boy's parents believed the two-year-old had a demon inside him and that fasting would save him. 

Prosecutors believe Benjamin Aparicio was denied food for more than three weeks.

Police began investigating after receiving a tip that congregants at the evangelical nondenominational church had held a failed resurrection ceremony before the parents took the body to their native Mexico. 

Meza wasn’t affiliated with any traditional religion but held regular services at her home with her husband, Maret said.

Zurita said Meza “was considered a prophet” who “would advise to the other members of the church what God has spoken to her.” Zurita identified herself as the secretary and third-ranking officer of the Iglesia Internacional Jesus es el Rey, and said Meza’s husband was the church’s leader and Meza was its second-ranking officer.