A Houston, Texas, television station’s investigation is revealing another incident in which Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was investigated for injuries to one of his sons.
According to KHOU, the incident allegedly occurred in June of 2013 and involves a four-year-old boy from a different mother than the boy Peterson is charged with injuring in May. The report says the 2013 incident occurred while the boy was visiting Peterson at his Spring, Texas, home.
Report says Adrian hit then 4-year-old son last June… left a scar on kids forehead. This can be used as evidence in current investigation
— Seth Kaplan đź“ş (@Seth_Kaplan) September 15, 2014
The television station’s I-TEAM obtained text messages exchanged between Peterson and the boy’s mother about the incident.
“Mother: What happened to his head?Peterson: Hit his head on the CarseatMother: How does that happen, he got a whoopin in the car.”Peterson: Yep.Mother: Why?Peterson: I felt so bad. But he did it his self.”
According to KHOU, the text messages show Peterson said he was disciplining his son for cussing to a sibling. A source confirmed to KHOU the boy’s mother filed a complaint with Child Protective Services, but no charges were filed against Peterson.
Peterson attorney Rusty Hardin says latest allegation "simply not true" and "authorities took no action."
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 16, 2014
Vikings release statement after 2nd child abuse allegation surfaces against Adrian Peterson. pic.twitter.com/etqY21oOPv
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) September 16, 2014
In a statement on Monday, Peterson said he is not a child abuser and is re-evaluating how he disciplines his children.
The incidents surrounding Peterson have touched off a debate about corporal punishment. Here is a piece that was done earlier today by KHOU.
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Laws between Minnesota and Texas are somewhat similar. WCCO notes that in Minnesota state law says “reasonable force” can be used on a child by a caretaker if circumstances exist or the adult thinks they did. In Texas, state law says it can be used “within reason.”
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