Here in Minnesota, start running back for the Vikings Adrian Peterson, admitted beating his 4-year old child.  Criminal charges were filed in Texas.  In Minnesota, the government opened a child protection case against Mr. Peterson, and presumably, the mother also.

What does that mean?  What happens now?

1.  The government may open a child protection case whenever there’s a serious allegation that a child needs protection or services from a parent.  Clearly, physical abuse by Adrian Peterson would qualify for opening a case.  It’s not a criminal case.  It’s not to find the parent guilty or not guilty of abuse.  The purpose is to change the parent’s behavior in order to reunify the family and assure the child will be safe.

2.  After the case opens, Adrian Peterson and the mother would be given a case plan to complete.  Typically, this would include parenting education and anger management, for instance.  The judge can order no contact between the parents and the child to further protect the child.  Visitation could occur under supervised conditions.  If the parents complete the case plan, the child could be reunited with them and the child protection case dismissed.

3.  Is Adrian Peterson the custodial parent?  He has several other children with several other women.  I don’t know if Adrian Peterson is the custodial parent of the 4-year old.  If he’s not, then it may be unfair to the mother (the custodial parent) to have a child protection case opened if she is providing adequate care for the child.

4.  However, if Adrian Peterson abused the child and the mother didn’t take protective steps—remove the child, report to police, doctors, etc, she could be included in the child protection case.

5.  Problem—if Adrian Peterson is not the custodial parent, why did the Minnesota prosecutor file the child protection case?  The Texas court has probably ordered no contact between Adrian Peterson and the child.  But that order is only effective in the state of Texas.  It would not prohibit contact in Minnesota.  Now, that the child protection case has been filed in Minnesota, a judge could prevent contact for the child’s safety.

6.  What can happen next?  The parents will receive a case plan.  The sooner they can complete that plan and convince a judge the child would be safe in their custody, reunification could occur.

It’s a sad event for everyone.  At least the child will receive the protection he deserves and the parents will be given help to become better, safer parents.