BRUNSWICK — Brunswick police say a 2-year-old found drinking Steel Reserve lager near his unresponsive father at the city’s homeless shelter is now in the custody of his mother.

Family members had been unable to get in touch with Shane Sawler, 35, on Wednesday and he didn’t answer the door of his apartment at the Tedford Family Shelter on Federal Street, police said.

When staff entered the apartment at 4 p.m. they found Sawler unresponsive and his son on the floor, drinking from a 40-ounce can of beer, said Deputy Chief Marc Hagan. There were other empty beer cans on the floor of the apartment.

Sawler, once roused, refused to answer police questions and became belligerent, Hagan said. He was taken to Midcoast Hospital where he was placed in protective custody, Hagan said. He was issued a summons this morning to appear in court on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, Hagan said.

The boy also was taken to Parkview Hospital for observation and was kept overnight after police contacted the Department of Health and Human Services. The boy was placed in the custody of his mother, who had been at work when the incident occurred, Hagan said.

Police were unable to say how much alcohol the boy had consumed.

Steel Reserve brands include “Triple Export Malt Liquor” and “High Gravity Lager” and is known for its high alcohol content and low price.