WASHINGTON– Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has reportedly turned himself into police after being indicted Friday on one count of negligent injury to a child.
According to local station KHOU in Houston, Peterson landed in Texas and turned himself in to authorities in Montgomery County “in the early-morning hours” on Saturday.
The case involves a complaint that Peterson had spanked his son, whose name and age has not been released, with a switch.
Peterson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Peterson didn’t mean to hurt the boy.
“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,” Hardin said.
Peterson will not play with the Vikings in their home opener against New England on Sunday.
No further details on the case or investigation were given.
Hardin said Peterson never hid from the accusations. “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 allegations against one of the NFL’s biggest stars came during a week in which the NFL has been under heavy criticism for the way it handled a domestic violence case involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his then-fiancee.
Read more on the Peterson case here.
Related:
- Peterson indictment: More NFL off-field trouble
- What’s next for the NFL’s Ray Rice investigation
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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