THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – Authorities in northwestern Minnesota arrested a woman after she allegedly attempted to kill her young son in a disturbing incident that law enforcement described as chaotic and alarming.

Edwina Marie Stoutenburgh, 34, was taken into custody on Sunday when Pennington County deputies responded to reports of violence at her Thief River Falls home. The call originated from her husband, who told officers that his wife had phoned him at work in a distressed state, claiming ominous voices had instructed her to harm their children.

According to investigators, deputies arrived to find Stoutenburgh outside the residence, partially unclothed. Officers immediately placed her in handcuffs as she appeared agitated and repeatedly implored deputies not to remove the restraints.

Statements provided by Stoutenburgh to police detailed that on the morning of the incident, she began hearing persistent voices she described as coming from demons. She reportedly identified these entities as “Bondage” and “Infirmity,” claiming they had overtaken her actions and compelled her to engage in deeply disturbing behavior.

Investigators say Stoutenburgh confessed to acts that included consuming animal waste and mutilating the remains of a family pet. In the kitchen, law enforcement discovered the severed head of a duck—recently euthanized by the family—along with evidence suggesting one of the bird’s eyes had been eaten.

Stoutenburgh told police that the voices demanded escalating violence, directing her to drink her son’s blood and to kill both her children and husband. While she expressed that she did not want to hurt her family, Stoutenburgh claimed she was powerless to resist the commands.

The most serious accusation involved her attempt to kill her sleeping son by slitting his throat. She allegedly told detectives that she rolled the child over and tried to cut him with a kitchen knife. When the blade failed to inflict a fatal wound, she said the voices urged her to sharpen it, but she did not return to the child’s room.

Other children were reportedly present during the ordeal. Stoutenburgh allegedly told them to flee in the family vehicle, warning them of her intentions. Officers said the children witnessed their mother’s increasingly erratic behavior and her insistence that she could not let go of the knife.

Medical responders treated the boy at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries. Stoutenburgh was transported to the hospital following her arrest, where she was evaluated.

Prosecutors have charged Stoutenburgh with attempted second-degree murder without intent, as well as second-degree assault. She remains in custody at the Pennington County Jail without bond, and her first court proceeding is set for July 28.

Authorities have not released further details about a possible mental health evaluation or custody arrangements for the children. The investigation remains active as police work to determine whether any additional factors contributed to the alleged attack.