The New York Giants abruptly cut linebacker Michael Boley in February. Three days later, Boley was arrested for felony child abuse in Alabama.
TMZ has the details, and the report suggests that the arrest came as part of a plea deal between Boley and prosecutors. Apparently, Boley pleaded guilty to the felony charge as a grand jury was preparing to convene to take up the case.
The booking information mentions Section 26-15-3 of the Alabama Code, which makes it a felony for any adult to “torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat any child under the age of 18 years” in the adult’s care.
As part of the plea, Boley entered a pre-trial diversion program. If he complies with all terms of the program, the charge eventually will be dropped.
Boley apparently was dropped by the Giants because they were aware of the situation. It’s possible that Boley has remained unsigned in part because other teams are aware of it, too.
Boley spent four seasons with the Giants. He appeared in all 16 games last season, with 11 starts.