Mom: Son was tossed overboard by dad

The mother of a 7-year-old boy who authorities said was thrown overboard by his father during a Newport Harbor cruise released a statement saying eyewitness accounts about the incident are accurate.

Christin Briles, through attorney Eric Dubin, said Wednesday night that although she was not on the boat, her sons corroborated witness' statements that Sloane Briles, 35, of Irvine threw his son overboard Sunday, the Daily Pilot reported.

"While these good people could not prevent what happened, at least their reports to the police will help get full accountability," Christin Briles said in her statement.

Sloane Briles was arrested Sunday on suspicion of child endangerment and resisting arrest.

Witnesses said that Sloane Briles hit the boy several times when he wouldn't stop crying before throwing him overboard.

Earlier this week, Sloane Briles told KTLA that he did nothing wrong.

"We were having fun; it was a harbor cruise," he told the TV station, adding that he would "absolutely" do the same thing if he had not been drinking.

Sloane Briles could not be reached for further comment on the incident. 

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-- Lauren Williams, Times Community News

Photo: Sloane Briles. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department / KTLA