The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI,
I HEARD ABOUT VARIOUS VOODOO PRACTICES FROM THE SISTER IN
CHARGE OF THE ORPHANAGE, SISTER VERONICA. SISTER VERONICA
SHOWED US A 12 YEAR OLD BOY WHO WAS MENTALLY RETARDED AS
A RESULT OF BEING PART OF A VOODOO WORSHIP AS AN INFANT.
THE BOY'S HEAD WAS CRUSHED, AND A CROSS WAS ENGRAVED INTO
HIS SKULL. HIS TESTICLES WERE ALSO CUT OFF. HE MANAGED
TO SURVIVE, BUT HIS BRAIN WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED, AND
THE BOY IS ALSO CRIPPLED. NOW HE SITS ALL DAY CHAINED
INTO A CHAIR.

Submitter comment: I SAW THIS BOY AND LEARNED OF HIS LIFE WHILE WORKING
AT THIS ORPHANAGE FOR A MONTH IN 1980.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1980