LAGRANGE — The mother of a 24-year-old local man charged with an assault during a Bible study class said claims of demonic possession by fellow churchgoers documented by police are “ridiculous.”

John Andel, of LaGrange, was charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct while intoxicated after kicking and punching a husband and wife sitting in front of him during a Bible study class Jan. 20 at LaGrange Church of God on North Center Street, police said.

“People must just be gossiping at church without knowing what’s going on,” Karen Andel said, adding she was present when the incident occurred and is worried about her son.

“We’re hoping it’s nothing serious,” she said. “He had a seizure.”

The church’s congregation is praying for John Andel, the church’s pastor, Daniel Wright, said Wednesday, adding he also disagrees with a police report quoting church members claiming John Andel “was possessed by a demon.”

“He was just having a fit, like a seizure,” Wright said. “He just started wailing, throwing himself around. I don’t think he deliberately attacked them.”

LaGrange Police Chief Daniel Moore said Andel smelled of alcohol when police arrived to find church members restraining John Andel on the floor.

Read Thursday’s Chronicle for more on this story.