LOWELL, Mass. -- A 26-year-old Lowell man faced charges Sunday in a horrific case of child abuse.

Thy Chan, 26, police said, completely bit the bottom lip off his 22-month-old son.

Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee told The Lowell Sun that officers were called to an apartment at 1370 Middlesex St. after someone called 911 to report that the child's lip had been bitten off.

Responding officers found the child covered in blood, but found his bottom lip, which they gave to paramedics who rushed the boy to the hospital. Doctors at Children's Hospital in Boston attempted to reattach the lip.

Chan was found in an upstairs bedroom acting erratically. Police believe he was under the influence of drugs.

Chan was taken to Lowell General Hospital and held there under police guard Sunday.

Lavallee said he will be charged with mayhem, assault and battery on a child, and domestic assault.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Services said the agency is investigating, and the family has no prior history with the department.