I was stunned yesterday after hearing about the death of Adrian Peterson's 2 year old son. Who wouldn't be. Now details are emerging that make the whole episode sadder still:
Minnesota Vikings' star Adrian Peterson first encounter with his now-dead son came when he visited the
dying boy at the hospital, it has been revealed.
Having found out about the boy only months ago after the mother started having paternity tests to figure out the father, the footballer was planning a trip to see the child later this month. Sadly, his visit came much sooner and under much different circumstances than he envisioned.
Mr Peterson skipped practice Friday to fly to South Dakota to see his battered son, in the hospital fighting for his life after Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, the mother's boyfriend, was charged on Friday with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant.
The two-year-old boy, named Ty, passed away on Friday at a South Dakota hospital after being admitted on Wednesday. The football star's father Nelson confirmed that the boy who died was his grandson.
First reported by TMZ, Mr Peterson never questioned being the child's father and offered to help any way he could. With plans to meet the boy later this month, it appears the former MVP was planning to take an active role in his son's life.
Sadly, that involvement was limited to a hospital visit only hours before the boy was taken off life support and likely the upcoming funeral.
Mr Peterson has never met Mr Patterson, sources told TMZ. The grieving father is now pushing for his toddler son's organs to be donated to people in need.
The supposed killer appeared in court on Friday to be arraigned on the felony assault charges. Additional charges may be added now that the child has died, South Dakota State’s Attorney's office said.
The little boy was brutally beaten on Wednesday while in the violent man's home at Platinum Valley Apartments, Sioux Falls where he had recently moved with his mother. He was the sole caregiver at the time.
Initially, police were told that the child had choked on candy. Only later did it emerge that his brain injuries were the result of being violently shaken.
The arrest was made after police found the little boy with injuries 'consistent with abuse'.
dying boy at the hospital, it has been revealed. Sadness all around.
Peterson is stating that he'll play today:
"Thank you to my family, my fans and fans of other teams for their support," Peterson wrote on Twitter. "The NFL is a fraternity of brothers and I am thankful for the tweets, phone calls and text messages from my fellow players. God Bless everyone and thank u so much."
Peterson missed practice Thursday, but the running back returned to the Minnesota Vikings' facility Friday. He indicated to the media that he planned to play in Sunday's game. Peterson's comments to the media came before news of his son's passing became public.
"I should start off by saying I really appreciate all the support that I've been receiving from fans (and) the Vikings organization," Peterson said Friday afternoon. "This is a private matter, and I would ask you all to please just respect my privacy and not ask at all about the situation at hand. Thanks."
Heartbreaking news on so many fronts.
Condolences to Mr. Peterson, the young boy's mother and all impacted by this preventable tragedy.
God's rest and peace to the little boy.
