3 family members arrested, accused of causing death of emaciated 12-year-old Utah boy

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

WEST HAVEN, Utah (KSL.com) — The father, stepmother and an older relative of a 12-year-old West Haven boy who died connected July 9 person been arrested and are accused of causing nan boy’s decease pursuing years of abuse, including terrible malnutrition.

Shane Peterson, 46, and Nichole Scott, 50, were each booked into nan Weber County Jail precocious Wednesday for investigation of kid maltreatment homicide, 2 counts of aggravated kid maltreatment and kid endangerment. Additionally, Scott was arrested for investigation of obstruction of justness and supplier possession.

Tyler Peterson, 21, was arrested Thursday for investigation of kid maltreatment homicide, 2 counts of aggravated kid maltreatment and obstruction of justice.

Other relatives person identified nan unfortunate arsenic 12-year-old Gavin Peterson. A GoFundMe campaign was group up by Gavin’s aunt connected Thursday.

“While they await justice, nan family is picking up nan shattered pieces by readying ceremonial services and arranging therapy sessions for Gavin’s older siblings, who’ve besides suffered from maltreatment and neglect while successful their care,” nan fundraiser says.

About 2:40 p.m. connected July 9, sheriff’s deputies were called to nan Peterson location connected a study of a 12-year-old boy who “had been sick for respective days, experiencing vomiting, and was now not breathing,” according to a constabulary booking affidavit.

“Upon arrival, deputies assisted family members successful performing CPR connected nan kid until EMS arrived connected segment and took complete aesculapian care. The kid was transported to a section infirmary by ambulance but unluckily passed away,” nan Weber County Sheriff’s Office said.

Gavin was recovered connected nan bath floor.

“The lawman noted that nan bath level was bedewed and nan child’s tegument was acold to nan touch,” nan affidavit states. “Nichole and Shane reported that nan kid had been sick for respective days, experiencing vomiting and seizures, but was not taken to a doctor. On nan time of nan incident, Nichole recovered nan kid successful his bedroom, covered successful vomit, and assisted him into nan shower.”

When Gavin was taken to a section hospital, wherever he was pronounced dead, doctors noted his assemblage “showed malnutrition to nan constituent nan child’s soul organs had unopen down completely. The child’s assemblage was visibly emaciated,” nan affidavit states.

As deputies continued to analyse nan boy’s death, they reported uncovering matter messages betwixt Tyler Peterson and Shane Peterson successful which Tyler Peterson tells his begetter nan boy is not breathing and asks what he should do.

Investigators said they besides recovered surveillance video from nan location that shows Tyler Peterson making 3 trips to a backyard shed astir nan aforesaid clip 911 was called.

“During 2 of these trips, Tyler appeared to beryllium carrying items to nan shed. A hunt of nan spot uncovered mini surveillance cameras successful nan shed Tyler entered,” nan affidavit says.

On Nichole Scott’s phone, constabulary opportunity they recovered deleted screenshots taken from a surveillance camera that monitored nan boy’s room.

“In astir of nan screenshots, nan kid is only wearing a heavy saturated diaper. The kid tin beryllium seen curling up connected nan carpetless level of nan room, which lacked bedding aliases blankets. Several screenshots besides showed sores connected nan child’s back. The room appeared to person aggregate cameras, arsenic nan infrared lights from different devices were visible successful nan screenshots,” according to nan apprehension report. “The photograph besides showed nan doorway grip pinch a locking system positioned connected nan extracurricular of nan room.”

A hunt of each nan phones of nan 3 group arrested besides revealed matter messages “in which they discussed whether nan kid unfortunate had been fixed immoderate nutrient aliases allowed to usage nan bathroom,” nan affidavit states. “Conversations besides see discussions of hitting aliases beating nan child, moreover utilizing a pinata instrumentality to do so. They besides talk astir really nan doorway to nan child’s chamber is locked and really he has to sound connected his doorway successful bid to leave.

“When talking astir feeding nan kid victim, nan 3 suspects talk astir only giving nan kid one-third of a cup of water, only giving him a portion of breadstuff and mustard, aliases not feeding him nutrient astatine all. All of this messaging and grounds revealed a prolonged shape of maltreatment complete nan people of respective years,” investigators wrote successful nan affidavit.

“Gavin was specified a happy kid, pinch a fresh grin for everyone. His favourite colour was bluish and he loved subject and Pokemon,” nan GoFundMe states.