Pittsburgh Woman Kidnapped, Repeatedly Burned With Hot Iron: Police

PITTSBURGH, PA — Police have arrested a man they say held a woman hostage for more than three days and left hot clothes iron burns over more than 60 percent of her body.

Police have charged Burton Byrd, 55, of the North Side, with numerous felonies in connection with the incident, which began on Saturday. The victim told police Byrd held her against her will and attacked her after he accused her of cheating on him.

In addition to being burned, the victim told police she had her hands bound, was hit with a belt and punched in the face multiple times.

Byrd finally allowed her to leave a North Side residence to get treated for her wounds but instructed her to say she had been beaten up in Lawrenceville.

According to court documents, Byrd has been charged with aggravated assault, intimidation of witnesses of victims, unlawful restraint, possessing instruments of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and false imprisonment.