A 39-year-old​ Cheyenne man has been charged with child abuse after allegedly hitting his son, sending him to the hospital.

Police say they were made aware of the alleged abuse on Dec. 3, after the boy showed up at a friend's house during a snowstorm stating his father, Thomas Michael Dyson, Sr., struck him several times in the face and chest and kicked him out of the house.

According to an affidavit, the child's chest was bruised, his left ear swollen and his nose clogged with blood. He was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Police say when they contacted Dyson in front of his house, he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol. Dyson reportedly told police that he'd drank several bottles of vodka and that he'd argued with his son earlier in the night and "f'd him up."

Dyson was arrested and charged with child abuse. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Dyson is currently being held in the Laramie County jail on a $5,000 cash bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

More From KGAB