Roswell police are investigating if a ritual performed on a child was a religious right of passage or child cruelty.
Santeria is a West African and Caribbean influenced religion that worships saints. Family friend Nadeshda Ramirez says the ceremony is called Paulo and it involves carving crosses into a person's body.
"Usually seven crosses," said Ramirez.
Authorities got wind of the process after a daycare reported cuts on the 4-year-old's chest. Ramirez also practices Santeria and tells Channel 2 Action News the ritual performed on the girl involved the cutting her with a straight edge razor, but it was not abuse.
"This represents the giver people whose past away spirit and light. This religion is to help people, to help people get better, to protect people wisely, to protect people," said Ramirez.
She says it is a form of self-sacrifice to the saints they worship. No one has been charged in the case, but an investigation is underway.