Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton calls on Vikings to suspend Adrian Peterson indefinitely

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is publicly urging the Minnesota Vikings to suspend embattled running back Adrian Peterson until his ongoing child abuse allegations have been settled.

Peterson was reinstated Monday just hours before allegations of a second incident with another one of his four-year-old sons came to light.

"It is an awful situation," Dayton said in a written statement issued from his office in St. Paul.

"Yes, Mr. Peterson is entitled to due process and should be 'innocent until proven guilty.' However, he is a public figure; and his actions, as described, are a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota. Whipping a child to the extent of visible wounds, as has been alleged, should not be tolerated in our state. Therefore, I believe the team should suspend Mr. Peterson, until the accusations of child abuse have been resolved by the criminal justice system."

Dayton is currently fundraising for his re-election campaign in Washington D.C.