MT. MORRIS, MI — A woman is also now in custody after police say a man waterboarded his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son.

Her identity was not released, pending arraignment. According to Genesee County District Court records, the woman is facing charges of second-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse in the presence of another child and third-degree child abuse.

A 30-year-old Mt. Morris man was taken into custody late last week after authorities claimed he waterboarded his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son and used a knife to abuse the child’s 12-year-old brother.

Mt. Morris Police Chief Keith Becker said the boy ripped his backpack at school Tuesday, May 12, and the suspect allegedly used waterboarding, which simulates drowning, to punish the child.

The suspect allegedly belted the boy’s arms to his body, put underwear over the child’s face, leaned him back over a footstool and poured water on his face, according to Becker.

Police became aware of the allegations after school officials noticed the boy acting differently, according to Becker.

During their investigation, Becker said detectives learned the man also allegedly abused the boy’s 12-year-old brother with a knife.

Becker said the man allegedly tied the boy’s arms, forced him to his knees and prodded him in the chest and throat with a knife. The incident lasted for roughly three hours, Becker said.

Becker would not confirm the woman’s relationship to the man, but said more information may be released later today.