South Carolina Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Biting Off Part of Ex-Girlfriend's Lip

A South Carolina man will spend 12 years in jail for biting off part of his ex-girlfriend’s lip.

October 20, 2018

Police in NYC — Image via Getty/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez
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A South Carolina man will spend 12 years in jail for biting off part of his ex-girlfriend’s lip, NY Daily News reports.

On Thursday, Seth Aaron Fleury pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Before he qualifies for parole, the 23-year-old will have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence, according to a statement from state solicitor W. Walter Wilkins.

Fleury and his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Hayes met on October 21, 2017, to talk about their relationship. When Hayes told Fleury she didn’t want to continue dating him, he became angry. He tried to kiss her, but Hayes pulled away; Fleury then bit her bottom lip so hard that part of the lip was severed. Fleury left, Wilkins shared.

Hayes tried to have her lip reattached, but the procedure was unsuccessful. She now has serious and permanent scarring, and her mouth’s range of motion has been hindered.

Fleury’s attorney said he purposely bit Hayes’ lip, per a Facebook post that Hayes wrote. “I had to listen to his attorney say that when he attacked me, it was intentional. Saying that he claimed ‘he was going to leave his mark for me next boyfriend,’” Hayes posted.

“This case demonstrates the unique circumstances under which domestic violence occurs, and how quickly these situations can escalate into violence,” Wilkins said. “Hopefully this prison sentence will make it clear to both this defendant and other abusers that domestic violence in any fashion will not be tolerated.”