( CNN ) -- A mental health evaluation has been ordered for a Maryland mother accused of stabbing two of her children to death and wounding two others while attempting an exorcism , authorities said Tuesday . A judge ordered Zakieya L. Avery , 28 , and another woman , 21-year-old Monifa Sanford , to undergo the evaluations this week to determine whether they are competent to stand trial , Capt . Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department said . Avery and Sanford have both been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the stabbings at a Germantown residence . Norell Harris , 1 , and his sister , Zyana Harris , 2 , suffered fatal stab wounds while their siblings , ages 5 and 8 , were hospitalized with injuries , authorities said . Police said they found the four children Friday morning after a neighbor called 911 to report suspicious activity at the home . The neighbor reported seeing a car with a door open and a knife next to it . Investigators believe the two women were performing an exorcism , a ritual aimed at defeating purported evil spirits or demons . Avery , according to Jones , allegedly formed a group called `` Demon Assassins '' because she believed that by doing so evil would n't take over their lives . `` The purpose was to get rid of the devil , the evil spirits , '' Jones said . Police are searching for two men who are believed to also have been members of the group , he said . Sanford 's attorney , Edward Leyden , said he has no information regarding the allegations that his client was a member of the exorcism group . `` This tragedy is a universal one , '' Leyden said . `` ... The family of the victims is devastated , and all the members of Ms. Sanford 's family are devastated . '' Leyden said he want his client to undergo the mental health evaluation to determine issues of competency and mental delusions . Avery 's attorney did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment . Police were initially called to the home Thursday over reports of an unattended child in a car . By the time they got there , the child was not in the car and no one came to the door , authorities said . After the neighbor 's call , authorities notified county child protective services and asked them to follow up . It 's unclear whether they did . Both women are being held without bond . Italian priests : Interest in exorcism increasing . CNN 's Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report .
Zakieya L. Avery , 21 , and Zakieya L. Avery , 28 , have been ordered to undergo evaluations . Both women have been charged with two counts of first -degree murder . `` Demon Assassins allegedly led a group called `` Demon Assassins , '' authorities say . The purpose of the group `` was to get rid of the devil , the evil spirits , '' police say .