Cops: Dad forced 9-year-old daughter to drink

An Augusta man remained in jail Thursday after apparently forcing his 9-year-old daughter to drink beer, according to police.

The child had a blood alcohol level of 0.165 and told police her father threatened to kill her if she didn't drink it, according to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. In Georgia, a driver 21 or older can be charged with DUI with a BAC of 0.08 or higher.

Jeffery Deon Hickson, 39, faces several charges, including child cruelty, child endangerment and DUI, according to jail records. Hickson, who was also drunk, is also charged with DUI and marijuana possession, according to police. He is being held in the Richmond County jail.

Hickson was also driving on a suspended license, suspended registration and had no insurance, according to the sheriff's office.

The child's mother told deputies her daughter called her crying and asked to be picked up from her father's home, police said. When the mother arrived, no one was at the home. The father later arrived with the 9-year-old and another child from another relationship, police said.

The 9-year-old was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report