Adrian Peterson's two-year-old son has died two days after being allegedly beaten by his mother's 27-year-old boyfriend Joseph Patterson.
The son of Minnesota Vikings star, died in a hospital where he had been admitted in a critical condition with head injuries as a result of the brutal beating.
According to the New York Daily News, the toddler was apparently a 'secret child' as Peterson was not sure the child was his until recently.
Patterson, who has a history of domestic incidents, has been charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault.
The report said that Patterson called 911 on Wednesday to report that child was choking in his apartment, where he had been caring for the boy.
Meanwhile, Peterson, who missed his practice session on Thursday thanked his supporters and fans and said that it was a private matter and asked people to respect his privacy.
Patterson faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty of killing Peterson's son, the report added.