Anger management ordered for ear-biting woman from Macomb

A Macomb County woman will have to enroll in anger management classes as part of a two-year probationary period for biting off part of her ex-boyfriend's ear during an altercation.

Danielle Nebelung, 32, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence and was sentenced Friday in Macomb County Circuit Court. A felony charge of assault with intent to maim and aggravated assault, a misdemeanor, were dismissed, according to court records.

Nebelung was facing retrial beginning today on the more serious charges after a mistrial was declared in March when a jury deadlocked in the case.

Under the plea agreement, she can ask the court for early termination of her probation after one year if she stays out of trouble.

Court records also state Nebelung is to have no contact with the victim and to undergo random drug testing and enroll in an anger management program.

She and her ex-boyfriend, Anthony Caruso, testified at her trial. At trial, her attorney said Nebelung was defending herself when she bit off the top part of Caruso's ear last year at their Macomb Township home, calling what happened an accident.

But the prosecution said the act was not an accident or self-defense. Caruso ran out and called 911 after the incident March 8, 2014 in the 4900 block of Marseilles.

In a request for a personal protection order filed last year, Caruso said he begged Nebelung three times to let him go during the altercation. On the third plea, the filing claimed, Nebelung — who had jumped on his back — started to tear back and forth at his ear "like a dog would."

Authorities said the torn off portion of Caruso's ear was located. Photos in a court file showed his ear with the reattached piece and stitches.

Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.