Adrian Peterson Indicted On Child Abuse Charges, Will Not Play Sunday Against Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) – A grand jury has indicted Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson with reckless or negligent injury to a child, and will not play in this Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
The team tells WCCO that Peterson has been deactivated.
Police say Peterson told them he "whooped" his 4-year-old son with a switch earlier this year. Police say the injuries occurred in Texas in May when Peterson's son was visiting.
Photographs obtained by CBS Sports Radio 610 in Houston show a number of cuts on Peterson's legs and thighs. CBS Houston reports Peterson allegedly said via text message to the child's mother that he "felt bad" and acknowledged the injuries to the child.
When the boy returned to his mother in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, she took him to a doctor.
Police say the 4-year-old told the doctor Peterson had punished him for pushing his brother off a bike by hitting him with a switch.
The doctor who checked Peterson's son later told investigators the boy had about ten cuts on his thighs, bruise-like marks on his lower back and buttocks along with cuts on his hands.
The doctor described some of the marks as "open wounds." Another examiner called the cuts "extensive."
When investigators questioned Peterson, they say he told them it was normal spanking and not excessive.
A grand jury seated earlier this summer decided not to charge him.
The Vikings released a statement saying they are in the process of gathering information regarding the situation.
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