A disturbing incident on Sunday has led to the termination of a Florida deputy who allegedly gave his small children his service weapons and ordered them to kill anyone who approached their residence.
Former Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Dougherty, 37, armed his daughter with a rifle, a helmet, and a bulletproof vest before she hid in the bedroom waiting for anyone to walk onto the home. The girl’s brother was armed with a taser.
Dougherty also performed an exorcism on another son, burned several items he labeled “obsessed”, and told the children the home was demon-filled.
“They burned several items in the drain in the parking lot and performed an exorcism on her brother,” police said. “The girl stated she trusts her father and would have shot anyone who came in.”
Dougherty was eventually admitted to a local hospital following his arrest and was fired from his job, according to Sheriff John Mina.
“While this deputy was terminated for a pattern of unsatisfactory performance, these are very serious criminal allegations,” Mina said.
“As law enforcement officers, we are held to the highest standards of conduct whether on duty or off duty. But we are also concerned about the deputy’s mental health.”