Adrian Peterson has been indicted on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child, continuing a tumultuous week for the National Football League. Mark Berman of FOX 26 News in Dallas first reported the story:
Sources: RB Adrian Peterson indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child N Montgomery County.His atty Rustin Hardin declined comment
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 12, 2014
The Vikings running back will be forced to turn himself in to authorities in North Montgomery County (Texas) and, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, it will put his availability in question for Sunday’s home opener against New England. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the alleged incident occurred when disciplining his 4-year-old child:
Arrest of Adrian Peterson (reported by @MarkBermanFox26) stems from the disciplining of a son with a switch, source says. He’s been indicted — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2014
The investigation has been going on for some time with Adrian Peterson, source says. He testified for a grand jury weeks ago.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2014
The #Vikings say they are gathering info on Adrian Peterson’s legal situation, deferring questions to his lawyer — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2014
CBS 4 Minnesota reported the following regarding the contents of the police report:
Sports Radio 610 in Houston obtained a draft of the police report which says Peterson admitted that he did, in his words, “whoop” one of his children last May while the boy was visiting him in Houston.
When the 4-year-old boy returned to Minnesota, his mother took him to a doctor. The police report said the boy told the doctor Peterson had hit him with a branch from a tree.
The doctor told investigators that the boy had a number of lacerations on his thighs, along with bruise-like marks on his lower back and buttocks and cuts on his hand.
The police report says the doctor described some of the marks as open wounds and termed it “child abuse.” Another examiner agreed, calling the cuts “extensive.”
UPDATE: Peterson turned himself in Montgomery County authorities early Saturday morning. He posted a $15,000 bond and was released.
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