Father, Son Arrested for Alleged Exorcism Kidnapping of Ex-Wife in California

A father and son were arrested after allegedly kidnapping their relative and forcing her to undergo a religious exorcism in Stockton, California.

The woman, who has not been identified, was 42-year-old Jose Magana-Farias' ex-wife and 20-year-old Victor Farias' mother. She was lured into their car at a Wal-Mart in north Stockton on Saturday under the pretense of trying to make the marriage work, San Joaquin sheriff's Lt. Mike Jones told KCRA-TV.

However, after she got into the car, the men allegedly picked up two priests before forcing the woman to undergo an exorcism, Jones said. Apparently, the men believed drastic changes she'd made in her life signified that she was possessed by demonic forces.

The woman was allegedly doused with sacred oil and "purified" during the religious ritual, states a deputy's report according to KCRA-TV. However, she was not phyiscially harmed or tortured during the abduction. She was found after her roommate reported the alleged kidnapping. 

One neighbor was shocked by the incident and described Magana-Farias as a loving father to his two middle school-aged children, adding that the ex-wife had recently been visiting the Stockton home and the children for weeks at a time. The couple had reportedly divorced about a year ago.

"He's a real nice guy. He works every day - six days a week.... [You] just don't expect something like that," the neighbor told Fox 40.

The father and son are being held in the San Joaquin County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. In addition to kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, Magana-Farias was also jailed on a detainment order from the U.S. Border Patrol.