Adrian Peterson's son, 2, has reportedly died after serious beating injuries the baby has obtained from his mother's new boyfriend, police said Friday, adding that the injuries were consistent with grave abuse.
The boyfriend of Adrian Peterson's ex-girlfriend was arrested and charged for severely beating Peterson's son in South Dakota. Identified as Joseph Robert Patterson, the accused is now in police custody, according to ABC Local.
The 27-year-old is to appear in a Lincoln County courtroom for arraignment Friday. He was initially charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery of an infant.
Authorities said the Sioux Falls police responded to a call that a 2-year-old was choking at a Platinum Valley apartment, USA Today reported.
The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died in early afternoon.
Adrian Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, confirmed same day in the afternoon that the child was Adrian's.
Lt. Blaine Lareson of the Sioux Falls Police said doctors confirmed that the injuries of the toddler were no accidental and that they were consistent of severe abuse.
"That initial exam, there's information there that the doctors believe that the injuries were consistent with child abuse," Sioux Falls Police Sam Clemons said. "They were head injuries. I don't have the exact one or [what] the specific injuries are and waiting on tests to come back. The child is in critical condition and unresponsive."
Meanwhile, Adrian Peterson was reportedly stretching with his fellow Vikings in the morning prior to the incident, but he left briefly in time for the special team drills, which he does not participate in.
Hours before his son passed away, Peterson, a Minnesota Vikings running back, met with the media and had even said that he is still planning to join Sunday's game against Carolina. However, he declined to speak on the issue.
Following his public appearance, Peterson reportedly posted a statement on his Twitter account, which read: "Thank you to my family, my fans and fans of other teams for their support. The NFL is a fraternity of brothers and I am thankful for the tweets, phone calls and text messages from my fellow players. God Bless everyone and thank u so much."
Adrian is second in the NFL with 421 yard rushings and he is first in the league with five touchdowns, ABC Local reported.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said that it is up to Peterson if he is going to play this week.
"We'll see how things go with him," Frazier said. "We expect him to play, but this is a very personal situation that he's dealing with."
Meanwhile, Clemens said the child's mother was "gone for a short time, and that's when we believe the injury occurred"
Court records show that Patterson apparently has another son with a different Sioux Falls woman, and that the woman had asked for protection orders twice.
In 2012, Patterson was charged by the woman for chocking and punching her, and even threatening her with a knife.
In 2004, another woman had applied for protection order against Patterson in Jackson County.
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