NFL star Adrian Peterson turns self in at Montgomery Co. Jail

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Montgomery County grand jury indicted star NFL running back Adrian Peterson on a charge of injury to a child.

Peterson admits spanking his son with a tree branch, commonly called a switch, while at his Spring home in May. He says he was disciplining him the same way he was disciplined growing up in east Texas.

"Obviously parents are entitled to discipline their children as they see fit, except when that discipline exceeds what the community would say is reasonable," says Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant.

Grant declined to go into detail about the child's injuries. But he says after being presented with evidence for several weeks and hearing from Adrian Peterson himself, the grand jury chose to indict, saying this discipline did not reflect what the community deems reasonable.

"The mental state that is reflected in the indictment is that he did so with criminal negligence or recklessly," Grant says.

The indictment is being met with mixed reactions from parents we spoke with in Montgomery County.

"I think that people need to spank their kids, and I think it is very unfortunate that he is in the limelight right now," said parent Krystal King. "As long as it's not excessive, I think more parents need to be spanking their kids."

"I personally do not spank," said another parent Jennifer Jane. "But that's just me. I think there's other ways of disciplining your child so I am against the whole spanking."

Peterson turned himself in Saturday morning and was released after posting a $15,000 bond.

Grant says if this case goes to trial it would most likely be some time next year.

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.