Adrian Peterson’s Son Dies From Assault

11 Oct, 2013

The 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson died Friday afternoon in Sioux Falls, S.D., from injuries sustained during an aggravated assault on Thursday, police said.

Police are not releasing the boy’s name out of respect for the family, but Peterson’s father, Nelson Peterson, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press the child is Peterson’s son. The child had been in critical condition in a South Dakota hospital.

Joseph Robert Patterson was arrested on aggravated assault charges on Thursday and made his first court appearance on Friday. He is being held on $750,000 bail, and in light of the boy’s death, the Lincoln County State Attorney’s office will review the case for additional charges, according to a statement from the Sioux Falls police department.

“I should start off by saying I really appreciate all the support that I’ve been receiving from fans, the Vikings organization,” Peterson said Friday afternoon. “This is a private matter and I would ask you all to please just respect my privacy and not ask at all about the situation at hand. Thanks.”

Peterson’s father, Nelson Peterson had told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the child is Adrian Peterson’s son.

“All I can say is, we are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation,” Nelson Peterson said.

Joseph Patterson, 27, is being held on two felony counts of aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault domestic. He was in court Friday for a probable cause hearing where bail was expected to be discussed.

Peterson, who spoke to reporters Friday at the team’s facility, said he will play Sunday. The Vikings (1-3) host the Carolina Panthers (1-3). Coach Leslie Frazier said he and Peterson will “talk more over the next 24 hours.”

“I really appreciate all the support from fans and the Vikings,” Peterson said. “I ask y’all to respect my privacy.”

Police and an EMS crew were called to a Sioux Falls home Wednesday where the child was found unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital, according to a police statement. The child was under Patterson’s care at the time and nobody else was at the home.

At the hospital, it was discovered that the child’s injuries were consistent with abuse. Patterson, who police say is the boyfriend of the child’s mother, was taken into custody and charged.

On Friday, Peterson said: “I will be playing Sunday, without a doubt.”

ESPN

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