LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing a battery charges after police said he repeatedly hit his mother with a Bible following a prayer session.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://goo.gl/3kfXt2) Ryan Dailey was arrested Saturday shortly after police say his mother escaped her son's beating and called police from a neighbor's house.

According to court documents, Dailey's mother told officers she and her son were praying Saturday when Dailey began yelling at his mother, asking her who owned her soul. Court documents say Dailey then started hitting his mother with a Bible and refused to let her leave.

Court documents stated Dailey's mother was hit several times in her back and head.

Dailey was charged with battery on a household member.

It was not known if he had an attorney.

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