Deputies: Attempt to ‘release demons’ nearly killed woman

An Upstate woman who allegedly told deputies she was a “higher power” is in jail after a family member was found unconscious with plastic bags over her head, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said.

April Dawn Townsend, 38, of 324 Smarty Jones Drive, West Union, was charged with attempted murder, according to a warrant issued Friday.

The warrant alleges Townsend tried to kill the victim by forcefully restraining her and then placing several plastic shopping bags over her head.

The victim was then held down until she was unconscious, had quit breathing and had no heart beat, the warrant alleges.

Officers who responded to an address on Cassidy Bridge Road on Friday afternoon said they were met by a woman who told them she had to “release the demons and that she was the higher power,” according to Oconee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jimmy Watt.

Watt said officers saw a family member lying on the floor with plastic bags over her head.

“A further check revealed that the victim was not breathing nor had a pulse,” Watt said.

An officer began CPR on the victim and was able to resuscitate her as paramedics and other law enforcement made their way to the scene, Watt said.

He said the victim was taken to Oconee Medical Campus and later transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital to receive further treatment.

Townsend was being held at the Oconee County Detention Center Saturday.