Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son died Friday afternoon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from injuries sustained during an aggravated assault on Wednesday, police said. The outspoken Christian NFL player has returned to the team after missing Thursday's practice.
Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the child is indeed Adrian's.
"We are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as deal with this tragic situation," Nelson Peterson told St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Law enforcement officials told TMZ that emergency responders arrived at the house on Wednesday afternoon, only to find the boy unresponsive, with multiple head injuries that were "consistent with abuse."
According to the Argus Leader, Patterson is being without bond in the Minnehaha County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery of an infant. Patterson was along with the boy and it was Patterson who called 911 to report a choking, according to Lt. Blaine Larsen of the Sioux Falls Police Department
"The assault on an infant charge involves blows, shaking or causing a child's head to sustain impact with an object in a manner that causes bleeding or swelling on the brain," the Argus Leader clarified. "The crime is punishable by up to 25 years in prison."
A woman in Sioux Falls who is close to the boy's mother told City Pages the mother had a casual relationship with Peterson when she lived in Twin Cities (she's since moved to South Dakota). Both the mother and Peterson didn't find out about the identity of the father until a recent paternity test.
Previous reports have indicated Adrian only has two children, Adrian Jr. and a daughter named Adeja.
Peterson returned to the team's practice facility in time for Friday's practice. He asked for privacy and wouldn't comment on the situation itself, but said he'll play Sunday "without a doubt." After news of son's death went public, Peterson thanked his supporters via Twitter:
God Bless everyone and thank u so much.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 11, 2013
The NFL is a fraternity of brothers and I am thankful for the tweets, phone calls and text messages from my fellow players. — Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 11, 2013
Thank you to my family, my fans and fans of other teams for their support.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 11, 2013
Peterson has also been open about his Christian faith, which he has credited for helping him through the loss of his brother as a child.
"Jesus Christ - He means the world to me. So many different situations I've been through, through my childhood and now my adulthood; I lost my brother at a young age. He got hit by a car right in front of me. I had to be strong for my mom. (I) held my tears and held her and comforted her during that time," Peterson said in an interview with "The 700 Club." "God just helped me get through that and made me stronger at a young age."
Peterson said that God has been a faithful presence in his life, no matter the circumstances.
"(Through) all the adversity and the hard times I've been through, God has always been present," he added. "I've always prayed to Him and asked Him to give me the strength to endure and to help others and to better understand the situation, or whatever situation I deal with in my personal life. And He has always showed up!"
