Deputies: Man Slashes Mother's Throat, May Have Been High on K2 or Spice

A Safety Harbor man who may have been under the influence of synthetic marijuana tried to choke his mother and slashed her throat with a broken plate, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say Robert Payne, 22, who lives with his parents, entered their home around 2:30 p.m. Monday where the mother was doing the dishes. For some reason, Payne allegedly placed his hands around his mother's neck and began choking her.

The mother, 65-year-old Victoria Payne, reportedly struck her son with a plate, breaking it on his head and causing superficial injuries. That's when deputies say Robert Payne took a piece of the broken plate and slashed his mother's throat, leaving a superficial wound. 

Roofers working on a neighbor's house saw the two run outside and called for assistance, the sheriff's office reports.

Fire rescue personnel responded and took both patients to a local hospital for treatment. The injuries are not life threatening, officials said.

Deputies say Robert Payne told them he had taken synthetic drugs, mentioning K2 and Spice. 

The investigation continues, and deputies say charges on Robert Payne are forthcoming.

The address where the incident occurred was not released.