OKEECHOBEE — A local man is out over $6,000 after he took his daughter to see a woman who allegedly “specializes in spiritual cleansing and healing.”

Deputy Justin DeLuca, from the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), stated in his report that the 49-year-old man took his daughter to a woman at the Trading Post Flea Market, 3100 U.S. 441 S.

“(He) told me his daughter is ill and (he) wanted to do business with the woman because she claimed to specialize in spiritual cleansing and healing,” stated Deputy DeLuca.

The man apparently entered into an agreement with the woman to take his daughter to several sessions with the woman, and he would pay her at each session.

According to the deputy’s report the man first took his daughter to see the woman on March 12 and paid her $450. He and his daughter returned March 14 for a second session, at which time he gave the woman $4,000. He took his daughter back to see the woman on March 17 and paid her another $2,000, added the report.

The woman was paid a total of $6,450 in cash.

“(He) took his daughter to visit the woman for their final session on March 21 and the woman was gone. He said she was supposed to return $6,000 cash to him after the final session was complete,” the deputy pointed out.

The man did not know the woman’s name and could only describe her as a Hispanic female with dark brown hair. He told the deputy she was about 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Deputy DeLuca went on to state that the man gave him the woman’s business card and said he had been trying to call her, but no one would answer.

“I have made several attempts to call the phone number listed on the business card, but have been unsuccessful,” stated the deputy. “The number goes straight to voice mail with no name attached.”

The OCSO deputy went on to state that the man also had no receipts for the money paid to the purported spiritual cleanser.