A two-year-old son of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson died at a Sioux Falls, S.D. hospital Friday morning after allegedly being beaten by his mother’s boyfriend Wednesday evening at the boyfriend’s house, according to police.
The boyfriend, Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, was charged with two felonies: aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault. After the death, South Dakota State’s Attorney Thomas Wollman told the Daily News that his office will be “looking at additional charges” now that the child has died.
“Very, very tragic event,” Wollman told the News.
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Patterson is currently being held in Minnehaha County Jail. Bond was set at $750,000 cash during a hearing on Friday morning. He is next scheduled to appear in court on October 23, but Wollman expects a grand jury to return an indictment before then.
“My office will be reviewing police reports and medical reports,” Wollman said. “There are other DUIs and assaults, but this is tops of the list. Very sad.”
Sioux Falls Police and EMS responded to 6201 South Connie Avenue, Apt. No. 118 for a medical emergency at 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday. The child was unresponsive and rushed to an area hospital for treatment.
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Patterson was the caregiver for the child at the time, and no one else was home, according to police. While the child was treated at the hospital, it was learned the child had sustained bodily injuries not considered to be accidental and consistent with abuse.
On Friday, Wollman’s office filed motions ordering Patterson to serve two year-long sentences that had been suspended in two prior domestic cases. One was for a simple assault case and another for violating an order to stay away from the victim in that case.
Peterson did not attend practice on Thursday, but requested privacy regarding the matter when talking to reporters in the team’s locker room. He intends to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
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"I really appreciate all the support that I've been receiving from fans, the Vikings organization," Adrian Peterson said. "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."
Peterson’s father, Nelson, requested prayers.
"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 told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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