Adrian Peterson Indicted In Texas On Child Abuse Charges, Photos Of Child Abuse Injuries

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted by a grand jury in Texas on charges abusing his 4-year old son, according to multiple reports.

Sportsradio 610 in Houston first reported details through law-enforcement sources, claiming Peterson beat his 4-year old son with a tree branch to punish him. While he struck the child's bare buttocks with the branch, he stuffed his son's mouth with leaves. The incident occurred over the Summer when the child was visiting Peterson in Texas.

Upon returning to Minnesota, the Mother of the child took him to the doctor to treat the injuries. The child suffered cuts and bruises to his ankles, buttocks, legs, scrotum, and hands. The injuries to his hands are the result of defensive wounds.

Here are pictures of some of the child's injuries.

More disturbing details of the alleged beatings can be read here, in Nick Wright's investigative piece.

Following public backlash after originally only suspending Ravens running back Ray Rice for knocking out his fiance, the NFL revised their domestic violence policy. In it, it calls for a six-game suspension for a first offense of domestic violence, allowing for steeper penalties if children are involved.

Peterson has not been arrested as of the time of this story being published. The Minnesota Vikings have announced they have deactivated Peterson.

His lawyer, Rusty Hardin, released the following statement regarding the story.

"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. 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."