Lillington Woman Accused of Castrating Acquaintance

LILLINGTON, N.C. — A Harnett County woman faces felony charges after police say she castrated an acquaintance.

Rebecca Arnold Dawson, 34, is accused of grabbing the genitals of a 38-year-old Kevin Russ during a fight that erupted early Tuesday morning at a party hosted by Russ' girlfriend. All three were heavily intoxicated, Lillington Police Chief Frank Powers said.

"I believe he needed more than 50 stitches to repair the damage, but he is back home at this point," police Cpl. Brad Stevens said Friday. "All we can tell you is that the injury was done with her hands. There were no weapons used."

Witnesses gave conflicting stories to police, who discovered a bloody scene after being called to the home for a domestic disturbance, Powers said. Other details weren't provided.

Dawson faces felony counts of assault causing serious bodily injury, malicious conduct by a prisoner, injury to personal property and malicious castration. She was released from jail Wednesday on $50,000 bond.

North Carolina law describes malicious castration as cutting off, maiming or disfiguring a person's genitals with the intent to hurt or render the victim impotent.