National Football League

Adrian Peterson confirms son's death

Published Oct. 12, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Adrian Peterson took to Twitter on Saturday, one day after the tragic death of a 2-year-old boy reported to be his son, to confirm the relationship and to ask the public to stop sending out photos of his other son, Adrian Jr.

The name of the boy who died Friday after an alleged beating left him in critical condition has not been released. Police said they won't do that until next week. Peterson's tweet is his first public confirmation of the relationship.

There was some confusion Friday when reports initially surfaced, as the victim was apparently not publically known to be the son of the Minnesota Vikings star. Most reports of the identity were citing Adrian's father, Nelson Peterson, as having confirmed the boy's identity. Details of Adrian's relationship with the boy are still unclear.

Peterson left the team Thursday to attend to a personal matter but was back at practice Friday, where he thanked supporters and said he intends to play Sunday when the Vikings host the Carolina Panthers.

"I plan on playing Sunday. I will be playing Sunday, let me correct that. Be ready to roll, focused and ready to get a 'W' on Sunday, being 1-0."

Meanwhile, details have emerged about the past history of the man charged in the beating. Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, was charged Friday with aggravated assault and aggravated battery of an infant against his girlfriend's son following the Wednesday incident, Lincoln County State's Attorney Tom Wollman said in a briefing. Authorities also said they will review the case for further charges in light of the death.

According to a report in the Sioux Falls-based Argus Leader, Patterson was also indicted on assault charges against a 3-year-old boy and his mother in 2012. An Oct. 30 hearing will determine if Patterson is to serve jail time stemming from those incidents, the report said. He is being held on $750,000 bail.