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Sheriff: Dad Slapped Son, 7, Threw Him Overboard OC Tour Boat

NEWPORT BEACH (CBS) — An Irvine man is behind bars on Monday for allegedly slapping his seven-year-old special needs son aboard a tour boat and tossing him overboard into NewportHarbor.

Orange County Sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino told KNX 1070 the incident reportedly happened Sunday afternoon as Sloan Briles, 35, and his girlfriend were arguing aboard a commercial sightseeing boat carrying an estimated 85 passengers.

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The boy was crying because of the argument and was then thrown into the busiest part of the harbor by his father after being hit repeatedly.

"Three boaters that were nearby came to the boy's rescue," said Amormino. "The father did eventually jump in, but by that time the boy was rescued by a boater."

Both the boy and his brother were later returned to their mother's care, the Associated Press reported.

Briles became combative with deputies when they boarded the vessel to arrest him, said Amormino.

He was released on Monday and is expected to be charged with child endangerment and resisting arrest.

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