Family: Ex-boyfriend tried to rip out Indiana woman's tongue

An Indianapolis woman remains in the hospital after her boyfriend left her with serious injuries, her family says.

Carleigh Hager, 25, is out of the intensive care unit and is in stable condition now, her brother-in-law, Eric Splichal, said, but will require more medical care in the days ahead.

Splichal said Hager has more than 20 bite marks all over her body, including on her fingertips, as well as injuries sustained from an incident in which her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Cameron, allegedly strangled her and tried to rip her tongue out.

Cameron also threw her into a door frame, cutting her forehead and breaking the door frame, Splichal said.

Family: Ex-boyfriend tried to rip out Indiana woman's tongue

She required emergency surgery at Eskenazi Hospital to re-attach her tongue in her throat, he said.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call of a domestic dispute in the 2300 block of Hanover Drive just after midnight Sunday, according to a police report.

Cameron is being held at Marion County Jail on preliminary charges of battery and strangulation.

Amy Ballard, Hager's mother, said it's "hard to put into words" what has happened since Saturday night, but she is confident Hager will pull through.

"It's going to be a long road to recovery, but she is a strong woman from strong stock and we will overcome," Ballard said.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help Hager's family with medical expenses.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.

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