Thirsty Dad Allegedly Starts 'Brew-Haha'

MILFORD, Conn. - A man has been arrested on charges of beating his son when the boy refused to turn over his video game system so it could be pawned for beer money.



William McKinney, 51, was arraigned in Superior Court Thursday on charges of risk of injury to a minor and breach of peace.


"We certainly don't like to hear about parents beating their child in order to get a beer," West Haven Police Sgt. Paul Raucci said.


Raucci said officers learned of the abuse after responding to a complaint Wednesday afternoon.


Investigators learned that McKinney apparently wanted to hock his son's PlayStation at a pawnshop for beer. When the boy refused to give up the video game system, McKinney hit him, Raucci said.


The child's mother later traded the video game system in for cash and came home with beer, police said.


The state Department of Children and Families is investigating the matter and the couple's children have been placed in foster care, a court official said.


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Information from: Connecticut Post, http://www.connpost.com