Florida

Suspect in Family's Killing Makes Possible Santeria Shrine in Florida Jail Cell

A newspaper clipping had a red mark through the name of the judge presiding over Toledo's murder trial

A ritualistic shrine was discovered in the Florida jail cell of a man accused of killing his wife and her two young children.

Luis Toledo is charged in the death of his wife, Yessenia Suarez, and her children, 8-year-old Michael and 9-year-old Thalia, NBC affiliate WESH reported.

Suarez and her children were last seen in October 2013, Voulsia County officials said. Their bodies have not been found.

Toledo allegedly admitted to killing Suarez "with a single blow," according to WESH, but denied hurting his stepchildren.

During a routine jail cell sweep on March 27, Daytona Beach jail officials found drops of apparent blood on pictures of Toledo's wife and children, as well as a newspaper clipping with a red mark through the name of Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano, the Volusia County Division of Corrections said. Zambrano will be presiding over Toledo's murder trial, WESH said.

Officers also found a cast with a nose and eyes drawn in red, a cross made from a ripped-up white T-shirt, and a paper cup filled with water, an orange and bread.

The items were arranged in what appeared to some form of ritualistic manner, possible "Santeria," according to a correction officer's report. Santeria is a religious tradition of African origin that spread through Latin America.

Toledo's next hearing is set for May 18.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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