Man accused of circumcising sons at home

LENOIR, N.C., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A man in Caldwell County, N.C., used a utility knife to circumcise his two sons without providing anything to dull the pain, his ex-wife alleges.

Johnny Marlowe's ex-wife Amber testified in court Tuesday how her former husband even targeted one of their young sons as the boy slept, WCNC-TV in Charlotte reported Wednesday.

"Elijah woke up from his sleep, screaming, ear-piercing screams," she alleged. "John made the second and third cuts. Again, he came off and started screaming, ear-piercing screams. I mean, it broke my heart."

Marlowe, who is currently serving time on assault and kidnapping charges, is facing unspecified child abuse charges in court.

Amber Marlowe also testified how she was allegedly beaten by her husband after she attempted to protect her son, Sam.

"He punched me in the legs. He proceeded to punch me in the arms. I was scared that he was going to hit Sam, so I took my upper body and my hip and covered up Sammy with my body," she alleged.

WCNC said Johnny Marlowe has fathered 14 children and has two wives.