Blanca Perez-Hernandez appears before Manitowoc County court via Zoom, January 8, 2025. (Manitowoc County court/Zoom)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A woman who invoked “Santa Muerte” — the Saint of Death — after being arrested for a stabbing in Manitowoc is not competent to assist in her defense, a judge has determined.
Blanca Perez-Hernandez, 48, faces two reckless injury counts after allegedly stabbing a woman who confronted Perez-Hernandez for trying to steal license plates off two vehicles in January.
Judge Jerilyn Dietz ordered a mental competency evaluation for Perez-Hernandez after her attorney raised concerns.
According to online court records, Dietz determined Perez-Hernandez was not competent based on testimony from a psychologist. The judge committed Perez-Hernandez to a mental health facility in an effort to improve her condition.
Her competency is scheduled to be reevaluated at a hearing Oct. 23.
According to the probable cause statement, police were called by someone who was being threatened by Perez-Hernandez. She later told police she was defending herself but security cameras support that she initiated the confrontation.
One person was slashed with the six-inch knife and another was threatened, the statement says. The victim told the court at a previous hearing she needed 10 stitches and may require surgery to repair nerve damage.
Perez-Hernandez told police she worships Santa Muerte, who gave her ownership of all cars in the world.
The victims told police they didn’t know Perez-Hernandez, according to a probable cause statement.
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