Adrian Peterson Texas Child Abuse Case Receives National Attention

Former Palestine High School star and current Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was charged under Texas child abuse laws for injuries he inflicted to his four-year-old son. The 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player was indicted on September 12 after prosecutors alleged that he violated Texas child abuse statutes by striking the boy with a tree branch. The grand jury in the Texas child abuse case viewed photos that showed slash-like injuries to the child’s ankles, legs, buttocks and back.

Texas Child Abuse Law and Corporal Punishment

According to state law, Texas child abuse is defined as “an act or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical, mental or emotional health and development”, but the law allows for parents to carry out “reasonable discipline” on their children. While corporal punishment has fallen out of favor in recent decades, actions such as spanking with a belt or “switch” is not considered a violation of Texas child abuse law. However, when the discipline crosses over into serious injury to a child, as in the Peterson case, the judicial system can get involved.

Prosecutors Pursue Peterson Texas Child Abuse Case

The line between discipline and Texas child abuse often hangs on whether the parent’s actions can be considered “reasonable discipline”. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Peterson stepped over the line of “reasonable discipline” when he lashed a four-year-old boy with a tree branch for scratching the face of a five-year-old playmate. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office processed Mr. Peterson, including taking his mug shot and fingerprints. A short time later, he was released on $150,000 bond.

Culture Clash Over Texas Child Abuse

A large part of the confusion in Texas child abuse cases lies with parents who come from cultures that employ corporal punishment. Mr. Peterson has repeatedly credited his strict Christian upbringing in East Texas, during which he described receiving numerous “whuppings”, as a key component to his on-field success. In a statement to the press, Peterson attorney Rusty Hardin said that, “He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in east Texas. Adrian has never hidden from what happened.”

Source: ESPN

Texas Child Abuse And Child Custody Law

In any custody case within the state, family court judges take Texas child abuse allegations very seriously. A judge can issue a protective order if the likelihood is high for another Texas child abuse incident. The protective order prohibits the abusive parent from coming into contact with the victim. The court may also require that the abuser be allowed visitation only under strict supervision and participate in a psychological treatment program.

Learn Your Rights About Texas Child Abuse

To find out how we can help, contact one of our Texas child abuse attorneys today. Our intake team will quickly connect you to a Texas child abuse attorney to take down the details of your case. You can also fill out the “Free Case Evaluation” form at the top of this page.