The NFL's absolutely awful week just got even worse.
There aren't too many details available yet. But according to Fox 26 News in Houston, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has reportedly been indicted on a child abuse charge in North Montgomery, Texas. Peterson's attorney has declined to speak about the reckless or negligent injury to a child charge that Peterson was indicted on, but he did confirm the indictment to Fox 26 News. And Jay Glazer is reporting that Peterson is expected to turn himself into police soon:
Stay tuned for more developments in this case.
UPDATE:
According to NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport, an investigation into the child abuse charge has been ongoing for quite some time now:
UPDATE 2:
TMZ Sports is now reporting that Child Protective Services have "confirmed they are working on a case involving Peterson and an 11-year-old boy." They have also spoken with a source close to Peterson who has revealed that the alleged victim in the case is a boy from Minnesota who was visiting the Vikings running back in Texas back in May. [UPDATE: The boy is from Minnesota, however he is only 4, not 11 as previously reported by TMZ Sports.]
According to the source that spoke with TMZ Sports, the mother of the alleged victim noticed several injuries on her son's body when he returned to Minnesota and took him to see a doctor. That doctor reached out to police in Texas who then launched an investigation into Peterson's involvement in the boy's injuries.
UPDATE 3:
Earlier this afternoon, Peterson posted this to his Twitter account:
He was also present at Vikings practice today:
UPDATE 4:
The Vikings have released a very brief statement with regards to Peterson's indictment:
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UPDATE 5:
Sports Radio 610 in Houston has obtained a copy of a police report stemming from the alleged incident. In it, Peterson reportedly admits that he used a branch from a tree to "whoop" his 4-year-old son from Minnesota. CBS Minnesota has published several photos of the child, which show marks from the incident.
7.
Peterson reportedly told police that he felt he administered a normal spanking to the boy and that it was not excessive.
UPDATE 6: Adam Caplan reports that Peterson will be deactivated for Week 2.
#Vikings have deactivated Adrian Peterson for this Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 12, 2014
[via Fox 26 News]