NFL star Adrian Peterson turns himself in on injury to a child charge

MINNEAPOLIS -- Accusations that star running back Adrian Peterson injured his son are being "taken very seriously" by Montgomery County prosecutors, says First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant.

Peterson was booked into the Montgomery County Jail early Saturday morning then released after posting the $15,000 bond. Hours later, Grant briefed the media and released the official indictment of Peterson.

According to the indictment, some time before May 18, Adrian Peterson "did then and there recklessly or by criminal negligence cause bodily injury to a child 14 years of age or younger, by striking with a branch." On Saturday, Grant declined to comment on the child's injuries.

"Given that this is now a pending criminal matter, we are very limited as to what we can comment on but the Montgomery County DA's Office will take this case seriously and we look forward to presenting this case to a jury," Grant said.

Grant says contrary to media reports, this charge only went before one grand jury, and after being presented with evidence for several weeks that grand jury indicted Peterson.

He says the grand jurors decided the spanking was not "reasonable discipline."

Peterson has not spoken publicly about the charges but his attorney, Rusty Hardin, released the following statement on Friday:

Meanwhile, the Vikings ruled Peterson out for Sunday's game against New England.

Peterson could face up to two years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

The Associated Pres contributed to this report