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Adrian Peterson's son must get help or vicious cycle of abuse will continue: expert Read more

Adrian Peterson's son must get help or vicious cycle of abuse will continue: expert

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/APMinnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is accused of beating his son bloody with a switch.

NFL star Adrian Peterson’s 4-year-old son, who authorities said was beaten bloody by the Vikings running back, is destined to repeat the sins of his father unless therapists intervene, an expert told the Daily News on Sunday.

The boy, who was allegedly left with cuts and bruises after he was beaten with a switch while visiting his football phenom father in May, will likely abuse his own loved ones if his father doesn’t change, psychotherapist Beatty Cohan said.

“What about this little boy? Who’s been talking about the child? What’s going to happen to him?” Cohan said.

Peterson struck the boy more than 10 times with a switch in an attempt to punish him, authorities said.

The child was left with bloody abrasions on his body after the beating, which prompted his mother to go to the police when he returned to Minnesota.

Peterson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said previously that the running back was only emulating his own tough-love upbringing when he used the switch on his son.

Cohan said that justification is the root of the problem.

Photos from the Houston Police Department show injuries to a son of Adrian Peterson, which the boy allegedly received at the hands of his father.

HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENTPhotos from the Houston Police Department show injuries to a son of Adrian Peterson, which the boy allegedly received at the hands of his father.

“The mother and father need some parenting counseling; otherwise this little boy will do the same thing to his family and his girlfriend,” Cohan said. “The child needs to learn that in this country, at this time, this kind of abuse, which this is, will not be tolerated. The bosses on the teams need to enforce that.”

Studies have shown that physical abuse can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior and mental health problems for children, according to an article by Brendan Smith on the American Psychological Association’s website.

Despite the adverse effects, surveys show two-thirds of parents still support spanking, the article said.

Peterson could face up to two years in prison if convicted, authorities said.

The player has been deactivated from the Vikings lineup and a spokesman for the NFL said on Saturday that Peterson’s case will be “reviewed by the league.”

With Tina Moore

jstepansky@nydailynews.com