There truly is a spiritual battle happening all around us.
Two teenagers from Altamonte Springs, Florida, Lois Lippert, 14, and Isabelle Valdez, 15, were arrested after being found plotting to murder one of their classmates for a “blood ritual,” according to ABC News.
In a police recording, Valdez can be heard saying, “Dude, I was going to do my makeup this morning, for the mug shot, but I couldn’t find anything.”
“Think they’ll be able to fix my hair?” Lippert asks. “Or you think I’ll be in prison handcuffs?”
She went on to say, “I’m probably not gonna like…my involvement’s not that long, so I’ll be out before you. And I’m probably not even gonna get like to go to jail…My parents are gonna get me.”
“I started crying because I thought she was gonna feel bad like and send me to the psych ward ’cause I was like, ‘I thought I was hurting someone…,I thought about hurting this boy,'” Valdez said.
According to ABC News, the two were charged as adults with attempted felony murder and attempted premeditated murder charges.
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Valdez brought a knife to school back on Jan. 23, which she had decided to use to either “cut the victim’s throat or stab him in the stomach,” as ABC noted.
It was also reported that the victim “reminded Valdez of Adam Lanza,” who was the school shooter at Sandy Hook. Valdez thought that “…if she killed the victim, she would have a blood bond with Adam Lanza, which would resurrect him from the dead,” and was going to “leave flowers at the scene and smoke a cigarette after the homicide was complete,” according to prosecutors.
Lippert also brought to school the flowers and cigarettes, gloves, chocolate and sharpened the knife that was going to be used. She further created “graphic and disturbing sketches” of the scene.
Seminole County Public Schools released a statement on the matter, writing: “We are deeply grateful to the individual whose courageous tip allowed law enforcement to take swift action. The situation was resolved safely thanks to the seamless collaboration between our school and law enforcement partners.”
According to Fox News, Valdez was identified by the tipster as “Jimmy,” and the two also discussed becoming a “lesbian couple in jail.” Valdez was considered to be obsessed with both the Sandy Hook and Columbine shooters.
Cases like this remind us that spiritual warfare is not just a theological concept—it is a reality playing out in the lives of people every day. When violence, darkness and twisted ideologies begin to take root in young hearts and minds, it reveals how powerful spiritual influences can be. Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.” Situations like this are sobering reminders that the enemy seeks to steal, kill and destroy, often targeting the most vulnerable. What appears on the surface as fascination with violence or evil can often point to a deeper spiritual battle raging beneath it.
This reality should drive us to vigilance, prayer and intentional discipleship within our homes. We must guard our own hearts, ears and minds from the influences of darkness that constantly compete for our attention.
Just as importantly, we must help our children do the same. What they watch, listen to and absorb spiritually matters more than we often realize. Parents and families must create environments where truth, prayer and the presence of God are central, equipping the next generation to discern good from evil.
In a world where darkness is increasingly bold, the call for Christians is clear: stay spiritually alert, cover our families in prayer and raise children who know how to stand firm in the light.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
