Authorities say an upstate New York man beat to death of his 53-year-old mother.

State police accuse 29-year-old Ian Butler of killing his mother, Carol Butler, at their home in Cayuga Heights, an affluent community just outside Ithaca. Another family member called police around 2 a.m. to report the incident.

Butler is charged with second-degree murder. He appeared Wednesday in village court and was due back in court later Wednesday when his lawyer could be present. During the proceeding, Butler wept intermittently and complained he was hallucinating.

Investigators declined to comment on a motive.

Butler was taken the Tompkins County Jail where he is being held without bail.