NFL running back Adrian Peterson was indicted in Texas for allegedly abusing an 4-year-old boy visiting his home there, TMZ reported on Friday.
This story has been updated. Please see below.
Authorities in Montgomery County, Texas charged Peterson with reckless or negligent injury to a child in connection with an alleged incident during the boy's visit in May. Peterson owns a home in a Houston suburb located within the county.
The boy's mother, who lives in Minnesota, reportedly noticed "injuries" on the child and took him to a local doctor, who in turn notified police. The alleged incident involved the use of a "switch," a wooden rod some parents use for disciplining children.
WDAY-TV reported that Peterson, who practiced on Friday with his team, the Minnesota Vikings, is cooperating with police and plans to turn himself in. According to NFL.com, the investigation has been ongoing, and Peterson has already testified to a grand jury regarding the alleged incident.
Last year, one of Peterson's children, a 2-year-old boy, died from injuries allegedly sustained at the hands of his mother's boyfriend at the time.
Peterson's indictment comes amid ongoing criticism of the league for its handling of domestic violence cases, primarily one involving another running back. Rice was suspended indefinitely from the NFL after being cut from his team, the Baltimore Ravens. Earlier this week, the league hired former FBI director Robert Mueller to conduct an independent investigation into the league's actions in that case.
Update, 7:28 p.m EST: CBS Sports reported that the Vikings have deactivated Peterson from their game on Sunday against New England, shortly after releasing a statement confirming his testimony to a grand jury.
"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," the statement read. "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."
[Image via Adrian Peterson official Facebook page]
