Vikings Adrian Peterson Indicted In Child Abuse Case

Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted by a Houston grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child.

CBS Houston reported that the incident happened when the 4-year-old boy visited Peterson in May in Montgomery County, Texas. CBS reported that Peterson admitted to giving the child a “whooping” after he pushed another of Peterson’s children off a motorbike game.

CBS reported that Peterson used a flexible tree branch, commonly referred to as a “switch,” to beat the child. Black Sports Online published and tweeted photos from the Houston police department that show the extent of the child’s injuries:

Adrian Peterson told Cops these were “normal spanking” meaning wasn’t first time http://t.co/CoakchZS4A pic.twitter.com/taSJ6i2Y9Q

— Robert Littal (@BlkSportsOnline) September 12, 2014

CBS reported that Peterson told police ”To be honest with you I feel very confident with my actions because I know my intent,” adding that he thought he’d hit the child 10 to 15 times but he doesn’t “ever count how many pops I give my kids.”

UPDATED 6:47 p.m., Sept. 12

Peterson’s attorney released the following statement, according to the Pioneer Press:

Adrian Peterson has been informed that he was indicted by a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas for Injury to a Child. The charged conduct involves using a switch to spank his son. This indictment follows Adrian’s full cooperation with authorities who have been looking into this matter.

Adrian is a loving father who used his judgment as a parent to discipline his son. He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in east Texas. Adrian has never hidden from what happened. He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours. Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning. It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury.

UPDATED 6:57 p.m., Sept. 12

Fox Sports Jay Glazer has reported that Peterson has been deactivated from the Vikings for this Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

The Vikings released the following statement:

The Vikings are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson. At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian’s attorney Rusty Hardin.