Just one day after Johnson County, Kansas, prosecutors announced that Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill would not face charges of child abuse, the saga apparently has taken a turn.

Kansas City CBS affiliate KCTV5 on Thursday revealed that its investigative department was sent what is purported to be a recording of the NFL player and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, discussing the police investigation and what they were telling authorities.

Per KCTV:

Related News Divider Chiefs' Tyreek Hill won't be charged in child abuse case involving son

The recording is believed to have been made in early March when the parents were walking through Dubai’s international airport. KCTV5 was told the recording was an “insurance policy” for Crystal Espinal.

Espinal sent it to at least one friend for safekeeping because she didn’t feel she could keep a recording on her phone. It has since been shared and sent to us by someone who is concerned about the welfare of the couple’s child.

The audio is 11 minutes long and abruptly cuts off. At no time on the recording does Hill admit to breaking his son’s arm. In fact, he flatly denies it.

Parts of the clip have been detailed (Warning: NSFW language).

A portion of the Tyreek Hill audio with Crystal Espinal:



Espinal: "What do you do when the child is bad? You make him open up his arms and you punch him in the chest."



Hill: “You do use a belt. That’s sad,” Hill said. “Even my mama says you use a belt.” — Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 26, 2019

Espinal: "He's terrified of you."



Hill: "You need to be terrified of me too, b****." — Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 25, 2019

The Chiefs, who say they only learned of the clip's existence at the same time the public did, suspended Hill early Friday morning, confirming later that "at this time and for the foreseeable future, Tyreek Hill will not take part in any team activities."

Also in the statement released late Friday morning local time, the team said: "We were deeply disturbed and concerned by what we heard. We have great concern for Crystal, we are greatly concerned for Tyreek, but our main concern is with the young child. … We are going to gather more information, we’re going to evaluate this information, and we will make the right decision regarding Tyreek Hill.”

Statement from the Kansas City Chiefs: pic.twitter.com/Kh7LyD6dg7 — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 26, 2019

The team statement mostly echoed comments earlier Friday from GM Brett Veach.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach on Tyreek Hill: “Earlier this evening we were made aware of the audio between Tyree and Crystal … in real time just the like general public. We were deeply disturbed by what we heard, deeply concerned.” pic.twitter.com/2FBGewZdi1 — James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 26, 2019

"Earlier this evening we were made aware of the audio between Tyree and Crystal … in real time just the like general public," Veach said, in part. "We were deeply disturbed by what we heard, deeply concerned."

TMZ Sports reported that the police were called to Hill's home around 8:30 p.m. local time, about two hours after the audio clip was made public, though it's unclear if he was home at the time.

It was confirmed in March that Hill was being investigated by Overland Park, Kansas, police over two separate alleged incidents involving his son. Reports later added the boy was alleged to have suffered a broken arm in one of the incidents.

The couple temporarily lost custody of the child last week while the case was ongoing.

Earlier Thursday, Johnson County district attorney Steve Howe declined to press charges, but with a caveat, he said (via KMBC.com): "We are deeply troubled by this situation and are concerned about the health and welfare of the child in question. We believe that a crime has occurred. However, the evidence in this case does not conclusively establish who committed this crime."

Hill released a statement Thursday through his attorney, who added that his client cooperated with law enforcement during the process and maintains his innocence.

"I love and support my family above anything," Hill's statement read. "My son's health and happiness is my number one priority. I want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs, my attorneys, my agent and my union for supporting me through this. My focus remains on working hard to be the best person for my family and our community I can be, and the best player to help our team win."

Neither Hill nor his attorney have commented since the audio surfaced. Attempts by Omnisport to contact the player's representatives have been unsuccessful.

The Chiefs released a statement at the time of the investigation in March acknowledging that they were aware of it, and coach Andy Reid addressed the issue last week.

“I know you're going to potentially ask about Tyreek,” Reid told the Kansas City Star. "I don't have anything further to tell you from the statement we put out. There's been no new news on it. I'm going to leave it at that. I have had a chance to say hello to him. I have done that."

Espinal is the same woman Hill was accused of choking and punching in 2014. He was arrested and dismissed from Oklahoma State's football team before eventually pleading guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation in August 2015. The incident was expunged from his record in August 2018 after he completed sentencing requirements.

Hill, 25, was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. The All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection caught 87 passes for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns for Kansas City last season.</s>Photo: David Eulitt, TNS Photo: Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs effectively suspended Tyreek Hill from all team-related activities Thursday night while they investigate an audio recording that aired on a local TV station in which the star wide receiver's fiancee accused him of abusing their 3-year-old son.

The recording surfaced one day after prosecutors said they believed abuse had occurred in Hill's home last month but that they could not press charges because it was unclear who committed the crime.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach read a statement after the conclusion of the first round of the NFL draft that said the team became aware of the recording between Hill and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, in "real-time" — just like the general public.

JENNY DIAL CREECH: A missed chance to discuss domestic violence and NFL

Afterward, Veach called Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and informed him that Hill would no longer be allowed to work out with the team. The Chiefs are in the midst of voluntary offseason workouts.

"We were deeply disturbed by what we heard. We have deep concern for Crystal, and are concerned for Tyreek, but we have real concern for the child," Veach said in his statement. "We are going to continue to gather information and we will make the right decision."

Veach declined to take any questions. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and chairman Clark Hunt, who also were in the building for the start of the draft, were not made available.

Police were called to Hill's home twice last month and investigators determined their child had been injured. On Wednesday, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said charges would not be filed but that he was "deeply troubled" by the situation and said "we believe a crime has occurred."

Howe also said the case could be reopened if new information surfaced.

Hill released a statement through his attorney earlier Thursday in which he said his "son's health and happiness is my number one priority." Hill said his focus is on "working hard to be the best person for my family and our community that I can be, and the best player to help our team win."

Less than eight hours later, KCTV in Kansas City aired part of an 11-minute audio file in which Espinal tells Hill that when asked about an injury to the child's arm, the boy replied:, "Daddy did it."

Hill denied any role in what happened to the child, saying: "He says Daddy does a lot of things."

Espinal also tells Hill their son is "terrified of you."

Hill replies, "You need to be terrified of me, too, bitch."

JENNY DIAL CREECH: We can't just move on after Kareem Hunt suspension

Later in the conversation, Espinal asks Hill, "What do you do when the child is bad? You make him open up his arms and you punch him in the chest."

KCTV said the audio was sent to the station without disclosing from whom. The station said it had shared the audio with Howe's office, which did not return a message late Thursday.

Hill is a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver with a history of domestic issues, including a case in which he was accused of punching Espinal while she was pregnant and they were attending Oklahoma State.

Hill's attorney, Trey Pettlon, has said that the wide receiver has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation. Pettlon also said that Hill waived his Fifth Amendment rights, answered questions from law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families, and that he would continue to cooperate with authorities as they provide a safe environment for the child.

That statement was thrown into question by the audio, during which Espinal indicates she covered for Hill while answering questions from investigators: "Now I really want you to sit and think about it," she tells Hill, "because I rode for you against that detective."

Howe would not say who has custody of the child other than to say he is safe.

"We're talking about a minor, a child, and the system and DCF and in child investigations, we have to be very cognizant about protecting the rights of the child," Howe said Wednesday. "We have to respect the wishes of the individuals involved in the case."

JENNY DIAL CREECH: Lack of empathy for assault survivors sends bad message

Hill is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Chiefs have little depth at wide receiver. That means it is possible the Chiefs could target a pass-catcher when they make one of their three picks Friday night — they traded their first-round pick to Seattle earlier this week as part of a package to acquire pass rusher Frank Clark, who has his own history of domestic violence.

Last year, the Chiefs released star running back Kareem Hunt following a video that showed him pushing and kicking a woman in a hotel hallway.

Before the audio of Hill was broadcast, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned about making any judgments before getting all the facts. But he did make it clear that Hill could be punished under the league's personal conduct policy, regardless of the legal situation.

"You don't make a decision without having those facts," Goodell said.

NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for the only newsletter for the Houston sports superfan.</s>The Kansas City Chiefs effectively suspended Tyreek Hill from all team activities on Thursday night while they investigate alleged abuse of his three-year-old son.

This comes after an audio recording aired on a local TV station in which the star wide receiver's fiancee accused him of abusing their son.

The recording surfaced one day after prosecutors said they believed abuse had occurred in Hill's home last month but that they could not press charges because it was unclear who committed the crime.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach read a statement after the conclusion of the first round of the NFL Draft that said the team became aware of the recording between 25-year-old Hill and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, in "real-time" just like the general public.

Afterwards, Veach called Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and informed him that Hill would no longer be allowed to work out with the team. The Chiefs are in the midst of voluntary off-season workouts.

"We were deeply disturbed by what we heard," said Veach. "We have deep concern for Crystal, and are concerned for Tyreek, but we have real concern for the child.

"We are going to continue to gather information and we will make the right decision."

Veach declined to take any questions. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and chairman Clark Hunt, who also were in the building for the start of the draft, were not made available.

Police were called to Hill's home twice last month and investigators determined their child had been injured. On Wednesday, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said charges would not be filed but that he was "deeply troubled" by the situation and said "we believe a crime has occurred."

Howe also said the case could be reopened if new information surfaced.

In a statement released on Thursday through his attorney, Hill said: "My son's health and happiness is my number one priority.

"I'm working hard to be the best person for my family and our community that I can be, and the best player to help our team win."

Less than eight hours later, KCTV in Kansas City aired part of an 11-minute audio file in which Espinal tells Hill that their son says "Daddy" is responsible for his injuries.

Hill went on to threaten Espinal in the recording.</s>The Kansas City Chiefs effectively suspended Tyreek Hill from all team-related activities Thursday night while they investigate an audio recording that aired on a local TV station in which the star wide receiver’s fiancée accused him of abusing their 3-year-old son.

The recording surfaced one day after prosecutors said they believed abuse had occurred in Hill’s home last month but that they could not press charges because it was unclear who committed the crime.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach read a statement after the conclusion of the first round of the NFL draft that said the team became aware of the recording between Hill and his fiancée, Crystal Espinal, in “real-time” — just like the general public.

Afterward, Veach called Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and informed him that Hill would no longer be allowed to work out with the team. The Chiefs are in the midst of voluntary offseason workouts.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Tyreek Hill has been in the news after a criminal case was opened investigating child abuse claims. While the district attorney’s office closed the investigation earlier this week due to lack of evidence, a new recording has now caused them to reopen it again.

The Tyreek Hill recording has him speaking to his fiancee Crystal Esponal about a broken arm that their son suffered. The recording indicates that the three-year-old child told his mother than Tyreek broke his arm.

Here is the official Tyreek Hill recording that was obtained by the KCTV5 news investigative department:

After listening to the recording, not only did the district attorney’s office reopen their investigation, but ESPN reports that the Kansas City Chiefs barred Hill from team activities during the investigation.

There was a moment in the audio recording that was chilling, when Espinal said that their three-year-old son was “terrified” of Tyreek and he responded, “you need to be terrified of me, too, b**ch.”

Tyreek Hill denied in the audio that he did anything to the boy, causing Espinal to ask why their son said he did.

Hill also said in the audio that a three-year-old will say his daddy does a lot of things.

“We were deeply disturbed by what we heard,” Chiefs’ general manager Brett Veach said in a statement. “We were deeply concerned. Now, obviously, we have great concern for Crystal. We are greatly concerned for Tyreek. But our main focus, our main concern, is with the young child.”

This is troubling for the Chiefs, who also waived star running back Kareem Hunt when a video was released that showed him pushing and kicking a woman at a hotel.

In 2017, Kareem Hunt was the Kansas City Chiefs leading rusher with 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns and Tyreek Hill was the team’s leading wide receiver with 75 receptions for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns.</s>A woman believed to be the fiancée of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill told the NFL player their 3-year-old son “is terrified" of him in an audio recording released by a local television station Thursday in which she accused him of hitting the child.

The woman, identified as Crystal Espinal, told Hill that their son repeatedly said he broke his arm and that he is scared of his father, according to the recording obtained by KCTV,

Hill, 25, reportedly responds, “You need to be terrified of me, too.”

During the 11-minute recording, both parents accused each other of using belts to discipline the child. Fox News could independently confirm the authenticity of the recording.

The Chief's general manager Brett Veach said Hill "will not be partaking in any team activities," Sports Illustrated reported.

The station said Espinal recorded the conversation while in Dubai and gave it to a friend. It was released a day after prosecutors declined to brings charges against Hill following an alleged battery investigation.

During the discussion with Espinal, Hill talked about teaching his son respect, the report said.

“Everywhere we go, my son loves on me,” he said. “And when we get home it’s for real. It’s serious time. It’s time to locked in because he know I don’t play.”

A representative for Hill did not immediately return a Fox News request for comment early Friday.

Police investigated two alleged battery incidents at Hill’s Overland Park, Kan. home after his son broke his arm, according to the Kansas City Star. The boy was eventually removed from his parents’ custody.

Espinal appeared to remind Hill that she helped him avoid punishment when investigators questioned the couple over their son’s injuries, according to the recording.

“So now I really want you to really sit and think about it because I rode for you against that detective and the C.P.S. people,” she said, referring to the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which previously investigated the incident.

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Hill told Espinal he didn’t do anything, to which she replied, “a 3-year-old is not going to lie about what happened to his arm.” She also accused Hill of punching their son in the chest.

Hill has been accused of domestic violence in the past. He was arrested in 2014 while he was at Oklahoma State and pleaded to guilty to assaulting and choking Espinal, who was eight weeks pregnant at the time, according to the Times.

He was kicked off the team and sentenced to three years probation.</s>After audio was made public purportedly of wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s fiancée suggesting the NFL star broke their 3-year-old son’s arm, the Kansas City Chiefs announced Thursday night that Hill will not participate in team activities.

The man identified as Hill also is heard on the recording telling his fiancée, “You need to be terrified of me, too, b—-.”

CNN has not authenticated the audio, which was obtained and published Thursday by CNN affiliate KCTV. Its release follows the announcement by a Kansas prosecutor that Hill and his fiancée, Crystal Espinal, will not be criminally charged in connection with an investigation into their child’s welfare.

The recording, which is believed to date to early March, appears to have influenced the Chiefs’ decision to sideline Hill.

“Earlier this evening, we were made aware of the audio between Tyreek and Crystal,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told reporters.

“We were made aware of this information in real time, just like the general public,” he said. “We were deeply disturbed by what we heard and deeply concerned. Now, obviously, we have great concern for Crystal, we are greatly concerned for Tyreek, but our main focus, main concern, is with the young child.”

Head Coach Andy Reid, at a news conference Friday to introduce a new player, tried to head off questions about Hill, saying: “We’ll stick with the statement we made last night about Tyreek.”

KCTV reports it has given the audio to a prosecutor, who is reviewing it.

Hill’s legal representatives and the NFL did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment about the audio recording. CNN has been unable to reach Espinal.

‘He is terrified of you,’ Hill’s fiancée reportedly says

In the recording, Hill and Espinal appear to discuss a police investigation of alleged abuse of their son, whose name is bleeped out.

Espinal asks, “Why does (the unnamed child) say, ‘Daddy did it?'”

Later in the recording, she states, “A 3-year-old is not going to lie about what happened to his arm.”

Hill denies breaking his son’s arm in the recording. He also says, according to the tape, “I’m the one that gets physical with him,” referring to the child.

“He is terrified of you,” Espinal says of their son, according to the audio.

Hill responds, “You need to be terrified of me, too, b—-.”

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VIA KCTV

KCTV reports the audio runs 11 minutes, though the station has published only short segments of it. KCTV received the recording from “someone who is concerned about the welfare” of Hill and Espinal’s child, the station reported.

‘We believe that a crime has occurred,’ DA says

The revelation of the audio follows a state investigation of Hill and Espinal regarding their child’s welfare.

In the recording, Espinal states, “I rode for you against that detective and the CPS (child protective services) people.”

KCTV published the audio one day after Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Steve Howe said his office would not press criminal charges following the child welfare probe of Hill and Espinal by the Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department and the state’s Department for Children and Families (DCF).

“We are deeply troubled by this situation and are concerned about the health and welfare of the child in question,” Howe told reporters Wednesday. “We believe that a crime has occurred. However, the evidence in this case does not conclusively establish who committed the crime against this child.

“Despite this decision, there will be continued involvement by State officials to ensure the safety of the child,” the prosecutor said.

Howe declined to discuss who has custody of the child, but added, “What I can say is that the child is safe.”

Before the audio was made public, Hill earlier Thursday denied wrongdoing, saying, “I love and support my family above anything. My son’s health and happiness is my number one priority,” according to a statement by his legal team reported by the Kansas City Star’s Chiefs reporter, Brooke Pryor.

Overland Park police, Howe’s office and the DCF also didn’t respond right away to CNN’s request for comment late Thursday.

According to the Kansas City Star, Espinal is pregnant with twins.

Chiefs ‘will make the right decision,’ GM says

The Chiefs, meantime, will gather more information and evaluate the situation, Veach said Thursday night.

“We will make the right decision regarding Tyreek Hill,” he said.

Hill, 25, was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2016. In the 2018 regular season, he caught 87 passes for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had one rushing touchdown and one punt return for a score.

According to multiple previous reports, including the Oklahoman, Hill was accused of domestic assault and battery on his then-pregnant girlfriend, Espinal, in 2014, when Hill played for Oklahoma State University. Per the Oklahoman, Hill pleaded guilty in 2015 and received three years’ probation. In August, the conviction was dismissed, and records were expunged.

Hill was dismissed from the Oklahoma State football team following the incident. He played the senior season of his collegiate career at the University of West Alabama, an NCAA Division II school.

When the Chiefs drafted Hill in 2016, there was outrage, prompting Reid to tell reporters at rookie minicamp, “I completely understand. I’m sensitive to the situation. I get it. I’ve talked to women on the other side of this, on the receiving side. So I’m very sensitive to that. A lot of guys don’t try to right the wrong. I give the kid credit for doing that and he’s really working hard at that. I completely understand the other side.”

The team has dealt with other issues of alleged domestic violence.

On November 30, the Chiefs released running back Kareem Hunt after a video from February 2018 surfaced appearing to show him pushing and kicking a woman. Hunt was signed by the Cleveland Browns in February.

In March, the NFL suspended Hunt for the first eight regular-season games without pay for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, stemming from physical altercations at his Cleveland residence in February 2018 and at a resort in Ohio in June.</s>The Latest: Chiefs defend Clark deal in wake of Hill case

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on developments in the domestic abuse incident involving Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (all times local):

The Kansas City Chiefs are defending their decision to give pass rusher Frank Clark a $105.5 million, five-year contract despite a history of domestic violence in the wake of a criminal investigation of wide receiver Tyreek Hill for his role in an alleged child abuse case.

Clark was acquired in a trade with Seattle this week, then given the largest contract in franchise history. But he arrives with off-the-field baggage from his time at Michigan, where Clark was kicked off the team his final season because of his case.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged "when a player of this magnitude comes in with a contract like this, he has a responsibility." Veach also insisted that Clark has done enough work in the Seattle community to show he has put his past behind him.

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach says the franchise is still gathering information about a domestic violence investigation involving suspended wide receiver Tyreek Hill but that "we'll make the right decision when the time is appropriate."

Many are calling for the Chiefs to release their troubled star player.

Local prosecutors reopened their case against Hill on Friday, less than a day after a TV station aired a recording in which the star player and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, discuss injuries to their 3-year-old son. Espinal claims that Hill was responsible for them in the recording.

Hill maintained his innocence in a statement issued Thursday, hours before the audio surfaced.

Reid made the comment Friday as the Chiefs grappled with the fallout from a case involving one of their star players. Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe did not return a call seeking comment.

On Wednesday, Howe said he would not file charges against Hill or his fiancee, Cristal Espinal, even though his office believed a crime had occurred last month involving the couple's 3-year-old son. He said available evidence didn't establish who had hurt the child.

A day later, a TV station aired audio recording in which Hill and Espinal discuss injuries to their son. Shortly after that, the Chiefs suspended their two-time Pro Bowl player.

Police were called to the home of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill shortly after a television station aired an audio recording in which he and his fiancee discuss injuries to their 3-year-old son — a case that has gotten the star player suspended and focused attention on a prosecutor's decision not to file domestic abuse charges.

Several media outlets reported Friday that Overland Park police went to the home of Hill and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, on Thursday night after receiving an anonymous call from someone worried about Espinal. According to the reports, Espinal was fine and officers were at the home for only a short time. A spokesman for Overland Park police didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Police were called to the home twice last month and determined the boy had been injured. On Wednesday, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said he would not file charges against Hill or Espinal even though his office believed a crime had occurred . He said available evidence didn't establish who had hurt the child.

The Chiefs have suspended Hill while the team looks into the developments. The NFL could also punish Hill under its personal conduct policy.</s>After audio was made public purportedly of wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s fiancée suggesting the NFL star broke their 3-year-old son’s arm, the Kansas City Chiefs announced Thursday night that Hill will not participate in team activities.

The man identified as Hill also is heard on the recording telling his fiancée, “You need to be terrified of me, too, b—-.”

CNN has not authenticated the audio, which was obtained and published Thursday by CNN affiliate KCTV. Its release follows the announcement by a Kansas prosecutor that Hill and his fiancée, Crystal Espinal, will not be criminally charged in connection with an investigation into their child’s welfare.

The recording, which is believed to date to early March, appears to have influenced the Chiefs’ decision to sideline Hill.

“Earlier this evening, we were made aware of the audio between Tyreek and Crystal (Espinal),” Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach told reporters.

“We were made aware of this information in real time, just like the general public,” he said. “We were deeply disturbed by what we heard and deeply concerned. Now, obviously, we have great concern for Crystal, we are greatly concerned for Tyreek, but our main focus, main concern, is with the young child.”

KCTV reports it has given the audio to the local prosecutor, who is reviewing it.

Hill’s legal representatives and the NFL did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment about the audio recording. CNN has been unable to reach Espinal.

‘He is terrified of you,’ Hill’s fiancée reportedly says

In the recording, Hill and Espinal appear to discuss a police investigation of alleged abuse of their son, whose name is bleeped out.

Espinal asks, “Why does (the unnamed child) say, ‘Daddy did it?'”

Later in the recording, she states, “A 3-year-old is not going to lie about what happened to his arm.”

Hill denies breaking his son’s arm in the recording. He also says, according to the tape, “I’m the one that gets physical with him,” referring to the child.

“He is terrified of you,” Espinal says of their son, according to the audio.

Hill responds, “You need to be terrified of me, too, b—-.”

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VIA KCTV

KCTV reports the audio runs 11 minutes, though the station has published only short segments of it. KCTV received the recording from “someone who is concerned about the welfare” of Hill and Espinal’s child, the station reported.

‘We believe that a crime has occurred,’ DA says

The revelation of the audio follows a state investigation of Hill and Espinal regarding their child’s welfare.

In the recording, Espinal states, “I rode for you against that detective and the CPS (child protective services) people.”

KCTV published the audio one day after Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Steve Howe said his office would not press criminal charges following the child welfare probe of Hill and Espinal by the Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department and the state’s Department for Children and Families (DCF).

“We are deeply troubled by this situation and are concerned about the health and welfare of the child in question,” Howe told reporters Wednesday. “We believe that a crime has occurred. However, the evidence in this case does not conclusively establish who committed the crime against this child.

“Despite this decision, there will be continued involvement by State officials to ensure the safety of the child,” the prosecutor said.

Howe declined to discuss who has custody of the child, but added, “What I can say is that the child is safe.”

Before the audio was made public, Hill earlier Thursday denied wrongdoing, saying, “I love and support my family above anything. My son’s health and happiness is my number one priority,” according to a statement by his legal team reported by the Kansas City Star’s Chiefs reporter, Brooke Pryor.

Overland Park police, Howe’s office and DCF also didn’t respond right away to CNN’s request for comment late Thursday.

Chiefs ‘will make the right decision,’ GM says

The Chiefs, meantime, will gather more information and evaluate the situation, Veach said Thursday night.

“We will make the right decision regarding Tyreek Hill,” he said.

Hill, 25, was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2016. In the 2018 regular season, he caught 87 passes for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had one rushing touchdown and one punt return for a score.</s>OLATHE, Kan. — Kansas City Chiefs star receiver Tyreek Hill is maintaining his innocence after prosecutors declined to charge him in a domestic incident that involved his fiancee and their 3-year-old.

Hill said in a statement released Thursday that his “son’s health and happiness” is his “number one priority.”

Police were called to the Kansas City-area home of Hill and his fiancee twice last month, and investigators determined their child had been injured the second time.

On Wednesday, the Johnson County, Kansas, district attorney declined to press charges in the case because he could not determine whether Hill or his fiancee was responsible. The boy has been placed in protective care.

The Chiefs issued a comment late Wednesday acknowledging the prosecutor’s decision but declining further comment.
The Kansas City Chiefs suspend wide receiver and return specialist Tyreek Hill from team activities for an alleged child abuse case.