Adrian Peterson Post $15,000 Bond For Child Abuse Arrest

The pending child abuse case against Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson has brought spanking, a common form of child discipline used by parents, back into public scrutiny. Parents in every state can legally hit their child as long as the force is reasonable.
Peterson was booked and charged with reckless or negligent injury to a child, a felony, in Montgomery County, Texas, on Saturday morning. He was released after posting $15,000 bond.

Texas law defines child abuse as "an act or omission that endangers or impairs a child's physical, mental or emotional health and development," according to Texas' Family Code.

But the state makes an exception for "reasonable discipline" by the child's parent or guardian.