Corrections and clarifications: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the suspect's age. She is 41 years old.

A southeastern Florida mother has been charged with murder after her 6-year-old son missed two weeks of school and died during what she deemed an exorcism, according to local police.

The boy’s mother, 41-year-old Rhonda Paulynice, has been charged with homicide without premeditation and failure to report a death to a medical examiner, according to online court records.

Deputies arrested the woman on May 30 in St. Lucie County, about 70 miles northwest of Palm Beach, Sheriff Richard R. Del Toro Jr. of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said during a press conference.

She was held June 2 at the St. Lucie County Jail on no bond, a jail official told the Treasure Coast, part of the USA TODAY network. She has a public defender, according to online court records.

Here’s what we know so far.

Child was absent from school for over 2 weeks

Prior to Paulynice being charged, her son, 6-year-old Ra'Myl Pierre, had been absent from school for just over two weeks, since May 14, Sheriff Del Toro Jr. said at a press conference on May 30.

School resource deputies requested a welfare check for the boy, and a road patrol deputy went to the boy’s home around 10:00 a.m. on May 30. The deputy spoke to Paulynice, who took him into the boy’s bedroom.

Once inside, the deputy saw the boy on the bed, “wrapped in fabric with only his face exposed,” reported the Treasure Coast.

Mother said she saw changes in her son caused by demons

According to Del Toro Jr., officials think the boy died on May 18 and had been in his room ever since. His mother spoke to investigators and said she last spoke to her son that day, four days after he was last seen at school.

Paulynice told investigators that she hadn’t been in control of her body, and that “God” or “Father” told her what to do. She tried to resist, but God would “make her pay,” the Treasure Coast reported, citing an affidavit.

“She believed she was being told by God to basically exorcise demons out of the child's body,” the sheriff said at the press conference.

Paulynice said she put her hand over her son’s mouth and suffocated him as he was “kicking and screaming” in bed. After Ra’Myl died, the boy’s mother checked on him daily and blew warm air on his face, checking to see if he was alive, the Treasure Coast reported.

“She felt the child had been released of those demons and was waiting for him to basically come back,” the sheriff said.

When contacted on June 3, the Office of the Medical Examiner for District 19 told USA TODAY the office cannot release information about the case.

'We remain committed to uncovering the full truth about what happened'

Lieutenant Andrew Bolonka, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, said in an update on June 3 that preliminary findings "do not refute the mother’s account of the events."

"It is important to note that these findings are not final," the sheriff's office said. "The Medical Examiner’s investigation is still ongoing, and additional analyses, including toxicology testing, have yet to be completed. Until the full investigation is concluded, no definitive conclusions can be drawn."

Sheriff Del Toro Jr. said in the release on June 3 that the office is thinking of the 6-year-old's family at this time.

“We remain committed to uncovering the full truth about what happened," he said. "We urge anyone with information to come forward.”

The sheriff previously said officials have responded to the house in the past, but the situation did not involve the mother-and-son. The day before the child died, officials went to the home due to a medical issue Paulynice was having, and there were previous domestic incidents dating back to January involving Paulynice and her sister.

'This kid just lit the room up': Remember Ra'Myl

According to the sheriff, 6-year-old Ra'Myl was loved by many. He attended Samuel S. Gaines Academy, part of St. Lucie Public Schools, Del Toro Jr. said. "From what I understand, this kid just lit the room up and was just loved by everybody," he said.

St. Lucie Public Schools said in a statement to USA TODAY on June 3 that it is saddened to learn of the kindergartener’s death. When asked about its protocols, the district referred USA TODAY to its Student Progression Plan.

The plan lists a slew of excused absences, including sickness among students, major illness in the student’s immediate family, and doctor’s appointments. According to the plan, the school must contact parents after each unexcused absence.

“Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who loved and cared for him during this incredibly difficult time,” the district said. “We understand that the loss of a young life deeply affects our school community. Grief counseling and support services will be made available to both students and employees who may need assistance coping with this loss.“

This story has been updated to add new information.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A mom is charged with son's death claiming God told her to 'exorcise demons'

Reporting by Saleen Martin and Will Greenlee, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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