Deputies arrested a rural Martell man Friday afternoon after he allegedly cut the tongue of his girlfriend's baby.

Investigators with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office believe the man's actions merit felony child abuse charges, said Sgt. Kris Hillabrand.

Matthew Wylie, 22, told investigators he pushed his finger down on the infant's tongue to quiet the 3-month-old boy, but pushed too hard, and the baby started bleeding.

Investigators question Wylie's story, but say it's enough to arrest him on suspicion of felony child abuse, Hillabrand said.

Deputies were called to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center Thursday after Wylie and the mother took the baby there for treatment.

The infant suffered from a 1.8 centimeter cut - "pretty big for a little tongue," Hillabrand said.

Tracy Daniel, the boy's mother, said her son was "pretty much back to normal" Saturday afternoon.

Wylie was taken to the Lancaster County Jail, where he remained in custody Saturday morning.

Daniel, who said she wasn't home when the incident happened, said she is considering ending her relationship with Wylie, but thinks the accusations against him are excessive.

"It's kind of shocking … that it would have even happened," she said. "He's never been violent before … He's shown, you know, that he's sorry."

Wylie had more or less become the boy's father, attending doctor visits and changing diapers, she said.

"(Wylie) was taking care of him when I was at work. He always took care of him. He pretty much was always with my son."

Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7234 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.