Teacher Arrested For Leading Students In Cutting And Burning Ceremonies

On June 9, 2012, as dusk fell, Harkins started a small fire near the St. Petersburg Pier. This 35-year-old literacy teacher at the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center was preparing a cleansing ritual.Harkins prepared a cleansing ritual for herself and some former students.When the students arrived, Harkins told them demons lived in their bodies. She claimed Harkins had to cut her former students open and cauterize their wounds to exorcise them. Police spokesman Mike Puetz stated, "There was apparently some chanting and then dancing around this fire that was taking place." Harkins then told the teens to slice each other open while she used a lighter to burn their wounds.

During the ritual, Harkins used a lighter to brand one former student. After the flame blew out, she poured perfume on him as an accelerant. Her plan worked too well; the fire caused second-degree burns.One student received second-degree burns on his hand. Another student got a slash on the throat from a jagged piece of a broken bottle. Harkins used a burning key to cauterize the wound.Harkins used a burning key to cauterize the student's cut after cutting the student's hand. Another student got a slash on the throat from a jagged piece of a broken bottle. A police spokesperson said the students who joined the ritual remained loyal to their former teacher and kept quiet about the event.

Many believe the divorce from her husband, George, caused the blood ritual that landed Harkins in jail. The couple did not have a healthy marriage. Before the divorce, Harkins took her husband to court for a domestic dispute that was dismissed; she dealt with emotional issues.The divorce dispute was dismissed, so Harkins faced emotional problems.Harkins dealt with emotional issues after the divorce.

Along with the stress of the divorce, Harkins allegedly started getting into "religion." Her neighbor, Lisa Cope, claims Harkins stopped by one day to tell the woman she "was okay" and that she "didn't have any demons."Lisa Cope claims Harkins visited to tell the woman she was okay and that she didn't have any demons.Lisa Cope claims Harkins told the woman she didn't have any demons.Lisa Cope claims Harkins told the woman she didn't have any demons.

The students appearing with their ex-teacher is a strange part of this case. Even though she clearly committed ritualistic abuse, they did not give the police any information about her past actions. Steven Chanthalima, 17, was the only student who spoke to the press, saying, "I'm fine. All I know is she's in custody."Steven Chanthalima, 17, told the press, "I'm fine. All I know is she's in custody."The students offered no admission about what happened to them. People can only guess about Harkins's crime. During her time with the students, she managed to isolate and groom them to care for her, or at least to believe her strange blood ritual talk.

No students came forward to admit what happened. People can only guess about Harkins's crime. During her time with the students, she managed toisolate and groommake them care for her or at least believe all her strange blood ritual talk.

After the ritual, no one told parents or called police. Students seemed to think Mrs. Harkins' actions were normal. When the incident hit the press, many students avoided talking about the ritual or their former teacher. One student texted a friend about the ritual after the night. That friendtold their parents, who called the police. If that student had not told their friend, Harkins might have continued this abuse until someone died.

Before leading teenagers in blood rituals to cleanse them of demons, Harkins acted like a normal person. She taught literacy at a community center in St. Petersburg, FL, and was married with two children. She lived the dream, but something terrible brewed inside her. Carolyn Chance, the administrator at the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center, called Harkins a "This was a very good teacher.." Chance said she was "very intelligent, very skilled. She recently started exploring religion, but I knew nothing about demons or anything like that."

After the story about her teenage blood ritual leaked, Harkins faced child abuse and aggravated battery charges. She received a leave from teaching and held a $55,000 bail. Police hoped the students involved in the ritual would provide more info; if they let her cut them up and burn them, she likely did something else they did not know about. Sadly,none of the teens talked, so no one knows what else she did. As of 2014, Harkins was She got released from prison.She was released on her own recognizance.

After serving...She received six months total for child abuse.and paying thousands in court and bond fees, Harkins left prison and vanished. A St. Petersburg Fox affiliate visited her home and rang the bell, but Harkins did not answer. People will not likely discuss what made her cut up former students in a blood ritual on a pier.

Harkins sought religious cleansing, likely suffering the same affliction many people face for centuries. Many people with mental issues have their church tell them they have a demon inside and they must be exorcised instead ofseeking professional help. J. Gordon Melton, director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion, stated thatPossessions are making a big comeback.He told ABC News, "There is a lot of exorcism going on."

Harkins faced divorce and domestic violence. She needed a therapist. Instead, she self-medicated using a twisted religion. She saw demons everywhere.

For about a week in June 2012, the news covered the teacher leading students in a blood ritual. People worried about a cult in the St. Petersburg school.The St. Petersburg school became the focus.Harkins taught there. People wondered if their children would join. Harkins started this way.Harkins faced a felony charge. The charge promised a long sentence.The story ended there. Harkins went to prison. She did not seem to serve real time. The press offered no follow-ups; students did not share their experiences. Harkins might have just had a bad week.Harkins had a very bad week.Harkins had a very bad week.