Chattanooga man charged with torture, kidnapping
A Chattanooga man has been charged with female genital mutilation, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault, among other charges, after he allegedly imprisoned a woman in his home for at least two days, torturing her repeatedly.
Police responded just before 3 a.m. Friday to the parking lot of a Walgreen’s in the 5400 block of Highway 153 and found a woman who said James Durand Favors III, 25, had held her captive and taken her cellphone so she couldn’t call for help.
She said he would get upset with her, punch her in the face repeatedly and cut her arms and legs with a knife. She said he also heated the blade at one point and stuck it between her legs, causing severe burns to her genital area.
During an investigation conducted by a special victims unit of the Chattanooga Police Department, it was found she had severe third-degree burns to her genitals that would require out-of-state treatment at a burn center.
The victim also had swollen, bruised eyes, burns on her left inner forearm, a large bite mark on her upper right back and numerous cuts, lacerations and abrasions all over her body.
Favors was not home when officers checked for him there early Friday morning, but he was found walking in the 3900 block of Hixson Pike and taken into custody.
Favors’ bond has been set at $545,000. He has previously been arrested for a variety of charges including kidnapping, assault and possession of drug paraphernalia.