BRIEF: Cleveland County man accused of assaulting, castrating mentally ill cousin

June 13--A Cleveland County man caring for his mentally disabled cousin was arrested Wednesday after police say he assaulted and castrated him.

Charles Newton, 50, faces several charges, including assault by strangulation, abuse of a disabled person inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, kidnapping and malicious castration.

Newton let investigators inside upon arrival, authorities said. Investigators then found Newton's cousin, who was heavily beaten over what deputies say could have been several days.

The man was taken to Cleveland Regional Medical Center and later transported to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Newton taken to the Cleveland County Detention center and placed under a $150,000 bond.

"This is a sad situation that has occurred," Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said in a release. "The investigation shows at this time that the victim could have been assaulted over a number of days. Thank God someone called when they did or this could have been a homicide investigation."

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