By Kim Glovas

BURLINGTON, N.J. (CBS) — A Burlington County, NJ man is behind bars, accused of severely beating his mother on New Year’s Day.

Burlington City police say Matthew Ritman came to police headquarters  on Tuesday morning, saying his brother would not let him into his mother’s home.

When police went to the home, 29-year-old Gary Ritman was trying to climb out a window.

Police found the mother on a couch, bleeding.  Gary Ritman said he’d slapped his mother but did not beat her.

However, the mother told police that she and Gary were arguing over religion, and he began beating her, then, when she fell on the ground, he began kicking her.

Gary Ritman is charged with aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim, and other crimes. His mother suffered broken ribs, fractured facial bones, and her right eye is severely damaged.

Ritman is being held in the Burlington County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.