Police: Couple Allegedly Fled To Mexico After Attempting To Resurrect 2-Year-Old Child

BALCH SPRINGS (CBS 11 NEWS) – The search is on for a local couple police said tried to bring their toddler back to life before heading for the border.

A police lieutenant told CBS11 that this was the by far the strangest case his department has ever had to investigate in Balch Springs.

According to police, officers showed up at a home located in the 12000 block of Duke Drive on March 26 to do a welfare check. Officers were told a 2-year old child had died and a "rising ceremony" had been performed for the child at the home four days earlier in an attempt to resurrect him. According to those living in the home, the house served as a church.

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"We don't know if this was to try and resurrect the spirit of he child and we don't know if this was to try and resurrect the child themselves or what exactly that service or ceremony encompasses," said Lt. Mark Maret.

The day after the ceremony the child's body was taken to Mexico for burial by the parents and other members of the church. Detectives have not been able to find the parents or anyone else who took the child out of the country.

Neighbors are just as baffled as police.

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"It's just kind of scary. The kids know all of it, they hear everyone talking about it," said Jean Turnipseed. "I'm surprised they didn't investigate it earlier."

Authorities said the tip didn't come in, however, until four days after the child's death. Police are not releasing any names as they continue to investigate the case as a homicide, alongside other local, state and federal agencies. Until they find the boy's body or his parents, the case is wide open.

"This is all new, that's why we are pulling in a lot of other agencies and their resources and their knowledge and assistance in this investigation," said Maret.