The Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith was founded in a Milwaukee strip mall by David Hemphill with a focus on the belief that behavioral challenges and developmental disorders are due to demonic possession. It conducted deliverance and spiritual healing ceremonies intended to cast out demons, drawing on biblical passages such as Matthew 12:43. David Hemphill served as head pastor, while his brother, Ray Hemphill, was ordained within the organization to lead healing and exorcism services despite having no formal ministerial or theological education.
In May 2003, Pat Cooper joined the congregation with her eight-year-old son, Terrance Cottrell Jr., who had been diagnosed with severe autism at the age of two. Over time, Cooper adopted the church’s beliefs and began attributing her son’s communication difficulties and movements to demonic possession rather than a neurological condition. By August 2003, Ray Hemphill had begun conducting regular, multi-hour spiritual healing sessions focused on the child.
On August 22, 2003, a two-hour prayer service was held at the church, attended by Cooper, Ray Hemphill, and several congregants. During the service, Cottrell was restrained on the floor. Multiple church members held his limbs while Ray Hemphill, who weighed approximately 150 pounds, applied pressure by pinning the child’s head and pressing his chest to the floor. Individuals familiar with the child later noted that he had an aversion to physical contact, indicating that the restraint may have caused significant distress. At the end of the service, the child was unresponsive, and emergency services were called. Paramedics arrived at the storefront and pronounced him dead.
A medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide, determining the cause as mechanical asphyxiation due to external chest compression, along with extensive bruising. Following the incident, the church faced allegations regarding its practices. Terrance Cottrell Sr., the child’s father, publicly criticized the organization, stating that the teachings and actions of the group had harmful consequences.
Ray Hemphill was arrested and charged with felony child abuse involving the reckless causation of great bodily harm. In 2004, a jury found Ray Hemphill guilty of the felony abuse charge, which carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Key Sources:
The Associated Press. (2004, July 9). Man convicted of child abuse for “Exorcism.”
CNN.com. (2003, August 24). Autistic boy’s death at church ruled homicide.
Davey, M. (2003, August 29). Faith Healing Gone Wrong Claims Boy’s Life. The New York Times.