SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A 27-year-old Sioux Falls man has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of killing the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Joseph Robert Patterson is being held on reduced bond of $750,000. He’s charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault and aggravated battery in the death of Tyrese Robert Ruffin.

Patterson is the boyfriend of Tyrese’s mother.

Patterson’s attorney, Tim Rensch, argued for the lower bond, saying evidence against his client is circumstantial.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for January.

Peterson had just recently found out that Tyrese was his son. The NFL star had been planning to meet the boy and rushed to Sioux Falls when he heard Tyrese was hospitalized.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for January.