A linebacker for the New York Giants has been accused of abusing his son, in the latest development in a long-running child support case. The mother of the player's child initially made the allegation in June, but chose not to make the accusation official by having it entered into the court record.

The man's attorney argued that the court not asked to consider the accusations during an October hearing, which the mother requested in order to receive a 500 percent increase in child support payments from the Giants player.

The player is now being investigated based on the claims. The linebacker, who began playing for New York in 2009, reportedly has a history of domestic issues. He was charged with battery in 2008 after he "became physical" with his wife at the time. The case never went to trial, but the NFL did suspend him for one game. Representatives from the Giants said they know of the current allegations, but declined to give any further comment.

It is not clear whether the abuse accusations will result in charges against the New York player. Experts say a district attorney in the man's home state will likely present evidence before a grand jury, which will then decide whether to pursue a criminal case. Following the allegations, the mother of another of the player's children formally requested that the player be supervised when visiting their child. A decision on that filing has yet to be released.

While it may seem that there is a mountain of evidence against him, the man is entitled to a fair investigation and to not be considered guilty by a family court until he is proven guilty in criminal court.

Source: New York Times, "Giants' Boley is Accused of Child Abuse in Custody Case," Sam Borden, Dec. 17, 2011