Adrian Peterson’s Son Passes Away Following Alleged Assault

Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son has tragically passed away following an alleged assault earlier this week. The boy was involved in an alleged domestic incident Wednesday evening with his mother's boyfriend at their Sioux Falls, SD apartment. The boy had been in critical condition with severe head injuries leading to his death.

Before news broke of the child's death, Adrian had plans of playing in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, however this may change as a result of the latest information.

Below is out original story with details about the incident and updates from earlier in the day. 

The Minnesota Vikings' star running back was missing from practice yesterday, and was expected to be absent again today has he tends to a tragic matter regarding his son in Sioux Falls, SD. TMZ reports the incident involves Peterson's 2-year-old son, who is in critical condition in a South Dakota hospital after he was allegedly beaten by the man currently dating the mother of Peterson's child.

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, has been formally charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant in Lincoln County, SD following the incident. The report says the child was home alone with Patterson at an apartment complex in Sioux Falls, where the boy's mother and Patterson live. Patterson called 911 to report a choking on Wednesday evening, but the report says authorities quickly determined the injuries to the 2-year-old were not accidental.

The county prosecutor is not confirming the identity of the child at this time, but various other reports continue to suggest it is one of Peterson's children. Ben Goessling of ESPN is reporting, however, that the child is not Joseph Patterson's child.

UPDATE 10/11/13 10:30 am: Adrian Peterson was excused from team activities yesterday to tend to matters in Sioux Falls, however 1500 ESPN is reporting Peterson is back in the Twin Cities today with the team at Winter Park for their 11:00 am practice.

UPDATE 10/11/13 10:47 am: The suspect, Joseph Patterson, reportedly has a history of domestic violence according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Patterson has a son with another woman, who has requested two different protection orders against him. She claims he has choked and punched her, threatened her with a knife, and held her against her will. In 2012, Patterson was charged with simple assault against the mother.

UPDATE 10/11/13 11:18 am: Peterson is at practice.

UPDATE 10/11/13 12:03 pm: The Pioneer Press confirmed in an interview with Adrian Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, that the injured child is Adrian's. It is not, however, Adrian Peterson Jr. Beside confirming the child is his grandson, Nelson offered the following statement:

All I can say is, we are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation