A school assistant who barricaded young children inside a classroom before stripping naked and fighting with staff did it because she thought Satan was outside , her lawyers said today . Linda Lira , 31 , is facing four years in jail after she was arrested at Lemon Grove Academy in San Diego yesterday for locking a group of nine to 11-year-olds into a classroom . Police initially thought Lira , who is from San Diego , had taken hallucinogenic drugs , but tests came back negative and her lawyers now say she was trying to protect the children from demons . Linda Lira , 31 , was arrested yesterday after locking a group of nine to 11-year-olds into a classroom , then fighting with school staff as they tried to free the youngsters , while 'undressing and dressing repeatedly ' Police initially thought Lira , who is facing four years behind bars , had taken drugs , but test came back negative and her lawyers now say she locked the room because she thought demons were outside . The strange incident began in a classroom at Lemon Grove yesterday at around 4pm when Lira began 'acting bizarre ' before locking herself and a group of students inside a room . One child was slapped an two others pushed to the floor when they tried to escape , suffering minor injuries , as Lira began barricading the door . The quick-thinking youngsters used Lira 's unguarded campus radio to call for help , and when other staff arrived and broke into the room , Lira began fighting with them . The children managed to slip out of the room , leaving Lira behind , at which point she began 'undressing and dressing repeatedly ' , according to one Sheriff 's Deputy . She was initially arrested for 14 counts each of child endangerment and false imprisonment , but this was later revised to three charges of false imprisonment and one of resisting arrest . The incident happened yesterday at Lemon Grove Academy ( pictured ) . Lawyers say they are still trying to piece together exactly what happened , but think the breakdown was triggered by something in Lira 's past . Today defense attorney Corey Wlodarczyk said Lira had suffered a 'breakdown ' inside the classroom , telling NBC 7 that she 'suffers from emotional issues ' . While Mr Wlodarczyk said he is still trying to piece together exactly what happened , he said the behavior was 'uncharacteristic ' of Lira , and was likely triggered by something in her past . He added that Lira was scared , having never been arrested before , and said she was taking her ordeal 'one day at a time ' . The suspect ’ s sister , Cathy Lira , said her sibling had been making some strange comments about Lucifer and warriors guarding her in recent weeks , but declined to say more . Lira was initially being held on bail of $ 2.1million , but that has now been cut to $ 500,000 after prosecutors dropped charges .
Linda Lira , 31 , arrested at Lemon Grove Academy , San Diego , yesterday . Began 'acting bizarre ' before locking children aged three into room . When staff arrived and broke in she fought them , then stripped naked . Lawyers today said she was trying to protect the children from demons .