Video After The Jump
Written by Craig Hlavaty for the Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON - Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage has issued a release saying that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
Peterson was "true billed" on a charge of injury to a child Friday in Montgomery County, north of Houston.
As of Friday evening, Peterson was not in the custody of Montgomery County Sheriff's officers.
According to Gage's release, the Sheriff's Office will not discuss further details of the case.
TMZ Sports reports that Peterson, 29, did not practice with his team yesterday due to a scheduled "veteran's day," according to the team.
The team issued the following statement to its website after news of the indictment broke Friday afternoon:
"The Vikings are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson. At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian's attorney Rusty Hardin."
Gwen Carter with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services could not confirm or deny that CPS was currently investigating Peterson and deferred all questions back to the Montgomery County District Attorney's office.
"Child Protective Services investigations are confidential according to state law, so we cannot comment," wrote Carter in an email Friday.
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office has told ESPN that Peterson has been cooperative with their investigation. They say they received the case earlier this year.
Peterson's attorney Rusty Hardin later released the following statement:
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.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that a source has told him that Peterson testified before a grand jury three weeks ago.
Lt. Brady Fitzgerald with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the NFL Network that his department had investigated the case after it was referred to them via the Houston Police Department.
Peterson is regarded as one of the NFL's premiere running backs. In 2012, he rushed for more than 2,000 yards after a brutal injury the year before threatened his career.
In Week 1, Peterson rushed for 75 yards on 21 attempts against the St. Louis Rams. The Vikings play the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Peterson was drafted seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.
He is due to make just over $14 million this year from the Vikings.
Peterson is the listed owner of at least one home in Montgomery County.
**UPDATE** September 13
Photos showing the wounds Adrian Peterson's 4-year old son suffered during the whipping have been released. The child suffered injuries to his legs, buttocks, back and scrotum.
The child told authorities that AP pulled down his pants and put leaves in his mouth while disciplining him, and that “Daddy Peterson hit me on my face.” He was being punished for pushing another of AP's sons off of a video game, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
TMZ reports that AP sent his son's mother text messages informing her of the whipping and expressed remorse, but felt it was needed.
"Got him in the nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n I'm all tearing that butt up when needed!" Peterson texted. "Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has he biggest heart but don't play no games when it comes to acting right."
When the child returned home to Minnesota where he lives with his mom, she noticed the injuries and took him to a doctor. The physician alerted authorities in Minnesota, who forwarded the information to Houston police.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was brought in to investigate because AP's home is in their jurisdiction. A grand jury handed down the indictment Thursday, September 11.
Peterson turned himself in to police Saturday at 1 a.m. He was later released on $15,000 bond.
Mug Shot
The Vikings have deactivated him for Sunday's game. An NFL investigation will soon follow. Peterson could face disciplinary action by the league.
Photo sources: Houston Police Department, KHOU, TMZ
Adrian Peterson booked on child injury charges
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