Father arrested after 'thirsty' boy, 5, allegedly forced to drink mouthwash and toilet water

The father of a little boy has been arrested after it was found the child had allegedly been forced to drink mouthwash and toilet water when he was 'thirsty'.

Tyriese Howard, 25, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Breya Allen, were arrested after Howard's young son was found with a .2 blood alcohol level while hospitalised.

The child also told police that sometimes he would get so thirsty that he would drink toilet water.

Police said doctors informed them that the boy had a history of being abused as they found scars all over his body, according to reports.

The 5-year-old and his two siblings, a 6-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, told the authorities that their father and Allen, whom they called "mom", would attack them with coat hangers, spatulas, shoes and multiple other objects.

They would also allegedly get choked or punched in the face.

They were reportedly too scared to report the abuse as they said their parents would tell them "snitches get switches."

Both Howard and Allen were charged with child abuse.

The children are now staying with a foster family, according to reports.