Man bites off girlfriend’s finger during argument over cell phone

When something’s wrong in a relationship, you can’t always put your finger on it.

However, for one unfortunate New Mexico woman, that moment of irretrievable breakdown is all too easy to pinpoint.

Artesia resident Aliah Encinias-Martinez began arguing with boyfriend Isiah Thompson, 26, in the early hours of March 7 when he refused to quit playing on his cell phone and come to bed.

After she forcibly took the phone from him, Thompson pushed her against a kitchen wall and demanded it back, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Carlsbad Current-Argus.

When Encinias-Martinez threw the phone to another part of the kitchen, Thompson allegedly responded by sinking his teeth into his girlfriend’s finger, taking the tip clean off.

By the time Artesia police responded to a call for help at around 3.30am, Thompson had already fled the scene.

However, officers discovered lots of blood drops on the living room floor and reported that nearly a quarter inch of Encinias-Martinez’s left ring finger was missing.

Thompson was eventually arrested March 11 for aggravated battery against a household member inflicting great harm.

He is currently at the Eddy County Detention Center in Carlsbad on a $10,000 bond, with a preliminary court hearing set for today.

Thompson’s attorney has advised him not to flash the judge too toothy a smile.