The Johnson County (Kan.) district attorney’s office announced Wednesday it will not file charges against Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill or his fiancee following an investigation into two March incidents at the couple’s home involving the couple’s 3-year-old son.
“We believe a crime has occurred,” District Attorney Stephen Howe said. “However, the evidence in this case does not conclusively establish who committed this crime.
“It bothers us when we see something that’s happened to a child like this and we can’t do anything about it,” he later added.
Howe said the criminal investigation has been closed, although the child protection investigation is continuing. Any new information to emerge could reopen the criminal investigation, with a five-year statute of limitations in Kansas.
“We feel we’re at an impasse at this point, and any further investigation would be unnecessary or unwarranted,” Howe said.
Authorities had been investigating incidents — one on March 5 for child abuse and neglect, and one on March 14 for battery — at Hill’s home in Overland Park, Kan. Both police reports indicated a juvenile was involved.
Hill, 25, and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, were listed on the March 5 police report as “others involved.” On the March 14 report, Espinal was listed as “others involved,” with a juvenile listed as the victim.
The Kansas City Star reported previously that the couple’s son suffered a broken arm in the incident. The Star also reported earlier this week that the boy was recently removed from his parents’ custody, as part of a family court process called a “child in need of care” case.
Howe declined to provide details in response to several questions Wednesday, citing the involvement of a juvenile as a need for privacy, though he did say “the child is safe.” He said he has not been in touch with the Chiefs but has been contacted by the NFL, though he has not responded because of the same privacy concerns, and the case will likely be sealed because it involves a child.
Despite not being charged with a crime, Hill could be subject to discipline from the NFL, and the league could consider his domestic violence history.
Hill reportedly choked and punched Espinal, then his girlfriend, when she was pregnant in December 2014. Hill was arrested and dismissed from the Oklahoma State football team. He later pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation and received three years’ probation.
Hill is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro through three seasons with the Chiefs.