Adrian Peterson was indicted in Montgomery County, Texas, on charges of injuring a child after disciplining his 4-year-old son with a switch, which is a tree branch.
Peterson was not charged by a first grand jury that investigated the incident, but a second grand jury did indict him.
Sports Radio 610 in Houston’s Nick Wright has provided the full story of what happened and we suggest you read his report.
According to Wright, Peterson told police he got a switch to discipline his 4-year-old son for pushing his 5-year-old son off a motor bike game.
The beating from Peterson allegedly resulted in numerous injuries to the child, “including cuts and bruises to the child’s back, buttocks, ankles, legs and scrotum, along with defensive wounds to the child’s hands.”
Police have provided photos of the injuries, which were taken a week after the beating occurred. Peterson texted with the boy’s mother, acknowledging he had struck the boy repeatedly to the point of causing injuries. He also knew the injuries would be visible when the boy visited the doctor for a previously scheduled appointment upon his return home to Minnesota.
Wright adds in this portion about what the child described to authorities.
According to police reports, the child, however, had a slightly different story, telling authorities that “Daddy Peterson hit me on my face.” The child also expressed worry that Peterson would punch him in the face if the child reported the incident to authorities. He also said that he had been hit by a belt and that “there are a lot of belts in Daddy’s closet.” He added that Peterson put leaves in his mouth when he was being hit with the switch while his pants were down. The child told his mother that Peterson “likes belts and switches” and “has a whooping room.”
Peterson apparently cooperated with all investigations and was matter-of-fact about whooping his son. He admitted to doing it and says he does that to discipline his children and that he only uses a switch as a last resort.
“To be honest with you, I feel very confident with my actions because I know my intent,” Peterson reportedly said of his actions.
Here is the statement from Peterson’s lawyer.
“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.”
The Vikings deactivated Peterson for Sunday’s Week 2 contest against the Patriots. There is a warrant out for his arrest.
