Minnesota Vikings NFL star Adrian Peterson indicted on child abuse charges

MINNESOTA Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted in Texas on a charge of child abuse after using a branch to spank his son.

FILE - SEPTEMBER 12: According to reports Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child. DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during pre game prior to playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 8, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

MINNESOTA Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted in Texas on a charge of child abuse after using a branch to spank his son, and was swiftly benched by the team on for this weekend’s game against New England.

Peterson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said that the charge in Montgomery County accuses Peterson of using a branch, or wooden rod, to spank one of his sons, whose age was not disclosed.

Hardin said Peterson had cooperated with authorities and didn’t mean any harm.

“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.

“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.”

Adrian Peterson has been indicted on child abuse charges.

A warrant has been issued for Peterson’s arrest, and he will have to turn himself in. There is no timeline for when he will appear in Texas, his attorney said.

The allegations came during a week in which the NFL has been under scrutiny for the way it handled a domestic violence case involving former Baltimore running back Ray Rice and his then-fiancee.

An independent investigation headed by former FBI director Robert Mueller has been convened to look into the handling of the Rice situation. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell initially suspended Rice for just two games.

After a longer version of security video surfaced showing Rice punching Janay Rice — who is now his wife — the Ravens released Rice and the league suspended him indefinitely.