Man arrested after allegedly cutting off his own penis and using it to set fire in mother's garage

An Indiana man has been arrested after investigators say he cut off his own penis, doused it in gasoline, and used it to start a fire inside his mother's garage.

Christopher Michael Peden, 36, is accused of carrying out the horrific act in Fort Wayne during the early hours of May 6.

According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY, Peden allegedly entered the detached garage of his mother's home, which authorities say belonged to his mother, around 2AM.

He then used a kitchen knife to cut off his penis, poured gasoline over it, and set it alight on the garage floor before walking away.

He has since been charged with one count of Level 4 felony arson in connection with the fire, per online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Christopher Michael Peden, 36, has been accused by police of cutting off his genitals and setting them on fire inside his mother’s detached garage. Credit: Allen County Indiana Sheriff's Department

Police investigated two emergencies at once

Per WDRB, firefighters were responding to the detached garage fire while Fort Wayne police were simultaneously investigating what was initially reported as a stabbing involving Peden.

As first responders worked to extinguish the blaze, family members reportedly told firefighters that Peden was missing.

Meanwhile, officers had already encountered the suspect, who allegedly claimed he had been stabbed somewhere in downtown Fort Wayne and told investigators that someone had threatened him the previous day.

The suspect later confessed that he had injured himself

After being transported to the hospital, investigators say Peden stated that he was "dishonest" about the stabbing and "wanted to be truthful".

Court documents show that he told police he had inflicted the injury on himself before starting the fire. Investigators say Peden also told them he then walked away from the property until he eventually came across police officers.

Authorities later recovered a red plastic gasoline container, four lighters, and a kitchen knife from the scene.

Court filings do not indicate what became of the severed genitalia, and it remains unclear whether officials were ever able to recover it.

Peden's brother also told investigators that a neighbor alerted him to the fire after waking him up.

He said the detached structure had no electrical service and that only a small gasoline can was used to power a lawnmower stored inside.

Peden allegedly admitted to the police in the hospital that he had lied about being stabbed. Credit: Peter Cade / Getty

Court dates set after release on bond

A motive for the crime has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the suspect was suffering from any mental health issues.

Peden was released from custody after posting a $10,000 surety bond on July 7.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 13 and Aug. 31.

Court records also show the 36-year-old suspect has previous convictions in Allen County for operating while intoxicated, including a Level 6 felony conviction in 2018 stemming from an earlier operating while intoxicated offense.

Featured image credit: Allen County Indiana Sheriff's Department