Teen says religious 'blessing' turned into rape

  TOMBALL, TX (KTRK) -- A teen says a friend who practices black magic promised to give her a religious blessing, but raped her instead.

The 17-year-old girl told Tomball police that Mario Munoz-Verudes told her she looked sick and needed a blessing. On September 23 the teen reportedly went to his home for the blessing.

Court documents state that Munoz-Verudes lit some incense in a bedroom, then forcibly raped the teen while muffling her screams. The girl told police that he threatened to put a curse on her if she told anyone what happened.

The girl's mother contacted police and a sexual assault examination was performed at Memorial Hermann Hospital. The teen told police that intercourse was not part of the blessing she expected to receive from Munoz-Verudes.

Court documents state that while performing a search warrant at Munoz-Verudes' home, they confiscated a Department of Immigration citation written on January 15, 2012, documenting his illegal status. The victim identified Munoz-Verudes from a photo.

Munoz-Verudes, 60, has been charged with sexual assault of an adult. Bail in the case has been set at $60,000. A roommate says he hasn't seen Munoz-Verudes since police came looking for him.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Religious candle sparks house fire

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A family safely escaped their burning home, but it may have been caused by a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

The fire broke out at a home on Robbie at Micheaux, north of downtown.

The Ferrand family is very religious, and the family's faith is something that is front and center to their lives. The front yard shrine to the Virgin Mary only complements another one that was the centerpiece of a bedroom.

Ever since Juana Maria Ferrand was little, her grandmother burned spiritual candles.

"She always put it next to her Bible, but always blew it out before we went to sleep. So we've always had candles inside the house and it's kind of a shock that the fire started because of a candle," she said.

It was just after 6:30am Friday when a candlelit shrine to the Virgin Mary began to burn out of control at the family's home. Ferrand's mother rushed to alert the family.

"She wakes me up, screaming at me and telling me to get off the bed and get out the house," Ferrand said.

What made the situation even more panic-stricken is her father needs oxygen and needed help to get out.

"Because of his breathing problems and stuff like that, it was the only thing we were really worried about," Ferrand said.

Her mother, father, uncle and the family pets all escaped. They'll now rethink how to express gratitude to their faith.

"Anytime you burn candles, especially around the clock, you should have a dish especially made for candles. They sell them at candle shops," said Jay Evans with the Houston Fire Department.

The Houston Fire Department says about 30 firefighters responded to the fire and cut a hole in the attic as they battled the fire, which was quickly extinguished. The fire severely damaged several rooms and left heavy smoke damage throughout the home. It's a setback that will require faith to push forward.

"She is a very religious person and I do believe that everything happens for a reason," Ferrand said.

The American Red Cross and Veteran's Affairs Office were contacted to assist the family.

HFD adds the family did have working smoke detectors. The agency urges residents to use caution when using candles: always have a working smoke detector, never leave a candle burning, keep candles away from household items that can catch fire and place them on a secure piece of furniture away from children and pets.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Dad accused of forcefully attempting to cut son's hair against his religious beliefs

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston father is accused of forcefully attempting to cut his son's hair despite the fact that the act violated their religious beliefs.

Court documents state Atamvir Singh went to the residence where his 12-year-old son and his mother lived to cut his son's hair. The boy says his mother, who is separated from Singh, objected because cutting his hair is against their religious beliefs.

The boy told investigators that Singh forced him to the floor with his hand around his neck, and that Singh tried to cut his hair with clippers while holding the boy by his neck, making it difficult for him to breathe. He also said Singh struck him in the chest.

According to court documents, the mother went to get a neighbor and they returned to the residence. The neighbor says he heard a struggle taking place, kicked open the bathroom door and saw Singh holding the boy to the floor with the clippers in his other hand. He said he told Singh to let the boy go, but Singh allegedly refused. The boy was then able to break free.

Police say the mother is in fear for her life and has requested a protective order against Singh.

Singh, 43, is charged with injury to a child. No bond has been set.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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