ITHACA -- An Ithaca man has been arrested for reportedly entering his former girlfriend's residence and bludgeoning her with a hammer early Friday morning.

Tompkins County Sheriff's investigators charged Keegan E. Young, 26, with first-degree assault and first-degree burglary, both Class B felonies, on Friday. He's accused of entering the woman's Town of Ithaca residence and striking her with a wooden-handled claw hammer, court papers said.

The victim is listed in serious condition at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, sheriff's officials said. The victim was still in surgery when Young was arraigned in Ithaca Town Court at about 4:30 p.m. Friday, testimony at the proceeding indicated.

Deputies and Ithaca Police responded to the report of a head injury at the residence at about 2 a.m., sheriff's officials said. They found the victim bleeding from multiple head wounds, but that she was "coherent and able to communicate with deputies at the scene," they added.

Young was still at the scene, and their investigation revealed that he entered the home and struck the victim repeatedly with the hammer as she lay asleep in bed, the officials said. He then called 911, reported the injuries and requested police and medical aid, they added.

Deputies were told Young was the victim's former boyfriend, and they found that he had lacerated his left arm with a razor knife, the officials said. Deputies arrested Young and transported him and the victim to Cayuga Medical Center for treatment.

After evaluating the victim, medical personnel transported her to Upstate Medical Hospital for surgery, the officials said. They closed Keegan's wound with several stitches, they added.

His left arm swathed in bandages, Young appeared subdued at his arraignment and looked down during much of the proceeding. His voice was barely audible as he told Ithaca Town Judge James Salk that he's been living in the area for about a year and in the City of Ithaca for about three months.

Salk set Young's bail at $25,000 and issued a temporary order of protection for the victim. Young balked when Salk explained that he was to have no contact with the victim.

"I can't even make sure she's OK?" Young asked quietly. Salk reiterated that he was to have no contact with the victim, and Young hesitated before signing the protection order to acknowledge he understood it.

"Why should I sign?" he mumbled. "I just want to make sure she's OK."

Young is scheduled to be arraigned with counsel on Tuesday.