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Vikings' Adrian Peterson indicted in child injury case

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was indicted Friday on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child.

A warrant was issued for Peterson's arrest, the Montgomery County (Texas) Sheriff's Office said in a release. Peterson was taken into custody Saturday morning in Montgomery County at 1:06 a.m. CT, NFL Media confirmed with jail personnel. After meeting all the court order criteria on the warrant, Peterson was subsequently released on $15,000 bond. He returned to Minnesota later Saturday.

The Vikings announced Friday that Peterson was deactivated for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

"The Vikings are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson. At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian's attorney Rusty Hardin," the Vikings said in a statement.

According to the grand jury indictment, an incident involving Peterson and "bodily injury to a child" occurred in May. An unknown police department called the City of Houston Police Department with a complaint of child endangerment, and Houston referred it to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office where the alleged case occurred.

Montgomery County then investigated a complaint and referred the case to the district attorney. The DA then handed the case to the grand jury.

A source told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport that Peterson has already testified in front of a grand jury. The investigation has been going on for some time.

Peterson's case will be reviewed by the NFL under the personal conduct policy, per league spokesperson Brian McCarthy.

"He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in East Texas," Hardin said in a statement. "Adrian has never hidden from what happened. He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours. Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning."

UPDATE: On Saturday, Montgomery (Texas) County first assistant district attorney Phil Grant said a trial, if there is one, likely wouldn't take place until sometime next year. Grant said the charge against Peterson carries a punishment of up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine, although probation is an option for persons without criminal records.

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