Irving mom accused of murdering 8-year-old son claims demons told her to sacrifice him

An Irving mother was arrested after allegedly suffocating her 8-year-old son because demons told her to.

An arrest warrant affidavit for 30-year-old Tisha Sanchez states her sister called 911 Sunday around 7:30 a.m.

The sister told police that Sanchez had called her and asked for forgiveness, claiming that demons told her to sacrifice her son -- 8-year-old Joevani De La Pena, the affidavit states.

Sanchez's sister went to the family's home on Peach Tree Lane and found her nephew unconscious in an RV in the backyard. The affidavit states she told police she believed her sister killed Joevani by suffocating him with a pillow.

"There were some comments made that the mother was having thoughts in her head that was telling her to do something," said Irving Officer Robert Reeves.

Irving police say it's not their first run-in with Sanchez. In November, people at a Ross clothing store called police concerned about how Sanchez was pulling on her child's arm. Police did not charge her for that but did charge her for assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest. They also had concerns about her mental state.

"The officers felt that the best course of action was to do a mental health warrant and take her to Parkland that day," Reeves said.

Child Protective Services also looked into the family last year. A spokesperson says it opened a case but closed it in January without taking any action. They say the mother had plenty of family support, and there were no claims of abuse.

Dekontde Sudieh is a family friend who went by the family house on Monday. She says the world has lost a kind and inquisitive boy.

"He was a kid anyone would wish for," she said. "He was sweet. He was a kid that when you're around, he makes you feel special. He was always there to give you a hug even if he's just meeting you for the first time. He was a good kid."

Sanchez was arrested and charged with capital murder. She is being held in the Irving jail with a bond set at $2 million.

FOX 4 is on YouTube - http://bit.ly/fox4subscribe