An Ironton woman accused of severely beating a man Tuesday morning first told police the victim’s injuries were accidental.

Tammy Howell, 35, of 218-1/2 South Fourth St., will be arraigned Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court.

The victim, Carl Palmer, remains in critical

condition at Cabell-Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va.

Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey said Charles Martin, who lived in the apartment with Howell and Palmer had seen Palmer’s injuries and said he would call an ambulance. While Martin was out of the apartment, Howell went to the Ironton police station less than two blocks away and told police Palmer had fallen and was not responsive. She later admitted to assaulting the elderly man.

“She indicated she used her fists and hands,” Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey said. The chief did not discuss a motive for the incident. He said Howell and Palmer had been associated on and off for a while but he did not know how long Palmer lived in the same apartment as Howell and/or Martin.

Martin has not been implicated in the assault but was arrested for violating a protection order issued against him on behalf of Howell. Both he and Howell were taken to the Lawrence County Jail.

Palmer was first taken to Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, but later taken by helicopter to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he underwent surgery Tuesday, Police Detective Jim Akers said. He did not have specifics on what kind of surgery was performed.