NFL star back Peterson charged with child abuse

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was booked and released from a Texas jail on a child abuse charge early today, adding to a tumultuous week for the NFL, which was already facing heavy criticism for its handling of a domestic violence case involving another star player.
Peterson was processed at the Montgomery County jail and released on USD 15,000 bond, according to a sheriff's office spokesman, Lt. Brady Fitzgerald.
He is charged with causing injury to a child age 14 or younger, allegedly by spanking one of his sons with a tree branch, on or around May 18.
Peterson, widely considered the best running back in the NFL, won't play on Sunday in Minnesota's home opener against the New England Patriots.

Shortly after the news of the indictment broke yesterday, the Vikings announced that Peterson was benched for the game.
Brian McCarthy, a spokesman for the league, said Peterson's case "will be reviewed under the NFL's personal conduct policy."

Peterson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said his client "has never hidden from what happened" in the case.
"Adrian is a loving father who used his judgement 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 yesterday.
He said Peterson cooperated fully with the investigation, voluntarily testifying before a grand jury for hours.

"Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this enquiry from its beginning. It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury," Hardin said.
Peterson's arrest came with the NFL facing criticism for its handling of a domestic violence case involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. Now the league has another public relations problem with the charge of child abuse against an even bigger star in Peterson.
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced tougher penalties last month for players accused of domestic violence: Six weeks for a first offence and at least a year for a second violation.

His memo to all 32 teams, following criticism over handling of a case against Rice, also said more severe discipline will be imposed "if there are aggravating circumstances such as the presence or use of a weapon, choking, repeated striking, or when the act is committed against a pregnant woman or in the presence of a child.