MERRILLVILLE | A 37-year-old Chicago man is accused of attempting to kill his wife after holding her head underwater and biting flesh off her arm Friday while they were on their honeymoon at a Merrillville Days Inn.

Jose Cuevas Jr. was charged Tuesday with attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal deviate conduct and battery in Lake County Criminal Court.

Merrillville police Sgt. Jeff Rice said Cuevas and his wife, also of Chicago, were staying at the hotel, 1350 E. 83rd Ave., when Cuevas made unwanted sexual advances toward his new wife.

Cuevas became upset when his wife refused the advances and held her head underwater in a hot tub in their hotel room, Rice said.

After taking her head out of the water, Cuevas said, "I will kill you (expletive). All you want is child support," court documents allege.

Cuevas then started striking his wife in the face, biting her and throwing her around the room while his wife pleaded for her life, Rice said.

"She begged for her life because she has a child," Rice said.

At one point, his wife escaped the room, and a woman at the hotel came to her aid, Rice said.

The wife was transported to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, Rice said. She suffered several injuries, including facial fractures and bruises.