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Adrian Peterson may have also beaten another son of his, according to photo and text evidence that surfaced Monday. The Minnesota Vikings star is being charged with felony injury to a child after beating his 4-year-old son so hard with a tree branch in May that he left cuts and bruises on the boy’s back, buttocks, ankles, legs, and scrotum. Another 4-year-old boy, who has a different mother, was given an injury that left a scar over his eye after “he got a whoopin in the car,” according to text messages between Peterson and the mother.
On Monday, prior to the new allegations, Peterson says he’s learned such a vicious beating isn’t the only way to discipline children. “I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child. I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen.” Peterson said he voluntarily cooperated with a grand jury and police, maintaining he “never intended to harm my son.” The Vikings announced Monday that Peterson is no longer deactivated and is expected to play this Sunday.