By Minyvonne Burke -
NBC News
A North Carolina couple was accused of performing an exorcism on their 4-year-old son who died shortly after "from injuries related to the abuse suffered by his parents," authorities said.
Joseph Paul 'Joe' Wilson, 41, and Jodi Ann Wilson, 38, of Mount Airy, were arrested on January 13 on charges of causing the death of their son, Skyler Wilson.
They are being held at the Surry County Detention Center without bail.
The Sheriff's Office reported that on January 6 they received a call from Child Protective Services about a child who was admitted to the hospital after suffering a "medical emergency" the previous day.
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Skyler died on January 9 "from injuries related to the abuse suffered by her parents
," according to police.
The department said it is being investigated as a homicide.
“This is a tragic event that resulted in the death of a precious child too soon,” Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt lamented in a statement.
His office did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Joseph Paul 'Joe' Wilson and Jodi Ann Wilson.Surry County Sheriff's Office
The Wilsons were Skyler's foster parents and allegedly
restrained him, isolated him and performed an exorcism
, Greensboro station WFMY-TV reported.
Jodi Wilson reportedly sent her husband a text message, hours before the boy was to be taken to the hospital, telling him that something had happened to him while she was wrapping him, the station reported, citing search warrants.
NBC News has not verified the documents.
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Jodi Wilson is accused of also sending her a photo of the boy wrapped in a sheet, face down on the floor, with duct tape holding the blanket to the floor, according to WFMY.
The Wilsons will appear in court on February 2.
They had other children in their custody who are now in the care of the Department of Social Services, the sheriff's office said.
It is not clear if the couple has a lawyer.
