California Cops: Angry Wife Cuts Off Husband's Penis -- Puts it in Garbage Disposal

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California woman was in custody Tuesday after authorities said she drugged her estranged husband, tied him to a bed, cut off his penis and put it through a garbage disposal.

Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said that Catherine Kieu Becker drugged a meal and served it to the victim, whose name was not released, shortly before the attack Monday night.

Nightengale said the 51-year-old man felt sick, went to lie down and lost consciousness. He said the 48-year-old Becker then tied the victim's arms and legs to the bed with rope, removed his clothes and attacked him with a 10-inch kitchen knife as he awoke.

"He was conscious when his penis was removed," Nightengale said.

Nightengale said Becker put the penis in the garbage disposal and turned it on.

Nightengale said Becker called 911 and acknowledged committing the crime to arriving officers. Paramedics found the victim tied to the bed, bleeding profusely.

Bail for Becker was set at $1 million after she was booked at the Orange County Jail for investigation of aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, administering a drug with intent to commit a felony, poisoning and spousal abuse.

The victim underwent surgery and was in serious condition at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center in Orange. Nightengale said the man is expected to survive.

A call to the hospital was not immediately returned.

Becker is due in court Wednesday. A telephone listing for her residence could not be located.

The couple was reportedly in the process of a divorce. Nightengale said he didn't know how long the couple had been married, whether they were living together or whether they had any children.

He did say a database search showed no previous calls to the house for any past problems.

Becker was taken into custody without incident, although she would not talk to officers, Nightengale said.