Man Arrested for Allegedly Throwing Son Overboard in Newport Harbor

An Irvine man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly slapped his 7-year-old son and threw him off a sightseeng boat, authorities said Monday.

Sloan Briles, 35, was taken into custody about 2 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of child endangerment and resisting arrest, according to Orange County Sheriff Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

The incident occurred after an argument aboard the Pavillion Queen in Newport Harbor, Amormino said.

"The suspect Briles was on the boat with his 6- and 7-year-old sons and his girlfriend, when the two adults started arguing,'' Amormino said.

Briles and his 7-year-old son walked to the front of the boat. The little boy was upset that his father and the girlfriend were fighting and for some reason Briles hit the boy and threw him off the boat, Amormino said.  

The water was full of boats, one of which scooped up the boy and took him to safety, he said.

"The father finally jumped in the water but his son was already picked up by then,'' Amormino said.

Briles got back onto the boat and sheriff's deputies arrived a few minutes later. Amornino said Briles became combative and had to be taken down by the deputies. One deputy suffered minor hand injuries and was treated at the scene.

Briles was not injured and was later released from Orange County jail, Amormino said.

City News Service contributed to this report.