HOUSTON – NFL Star Adrian Peterson has been indicted for injury to a child by a Montgomery County grand jury.
Peterson had been under investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for punishing his son with a switch, attorney Rusty Hardin confirms.
Brett Ligon, the Montgomery County District Attorney, spoke with HPD chief Charles McClelland and has requested he launch a criminal investigation into who leaked the full police report and photos of the minor child victim. Ligon has also requested the Texas Rangers assist in that investigation.
"As vigorously as we investigate and prosecute child abuse cases,we will use the same zeal to find who is releasing information on the minor child," said Ligon.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Peterson is expected to surrender and post bond, but the timing for that is unclear.
"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."
Peterson is a running back for the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings issued a statement saying they "are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson."
Peterson's 2-year-old son, Tyrese, was beaten to death by the mother's boyfriend in 2013. Peterson had just recently learned he was the toddler's father and hadn't met him. He visited the comatose child in the hospital before he died.
In 2012, Peterson was charged with resisting arrest after a run-in with an HPD officer at a downtown nightclub. The charges were later dismissed.
Peterson, who is from Palestine, Texas, owns a home south of the Woodlands.
Peterson's indictment extends a troubling week for the NFL that began with video surfacing Monday morning of running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiancée in the face during an incident in February in a hotel elevator.
Rice was subsequently released by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL, which on Wednesday announced it has retained former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III after the Associated Press reported a league executive had the tape five months ago.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last month announced an enhanced personal conduct policy on matters related to domestic violence.
Peterson will not play in Sunday's game against the Patriots, the team said late Friday.
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