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Richard Piatt ReportingMaCall Aubrey Petersen pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and desecration of a body. The body was that of her friend, 18-year old Amelia Sorich, who overdosed on a speedball. Petersen's sentencing came late this afternoon.
Petersen learned today that she will serve the maximum sentence of zero to six years in prison. It's a Class three felony and a class B misdemeanor. The law allows up to five years for the Class three felony and one year for the class B misdemeanor.
The judge called the crime calculated, not accidental, saying it showed a callous disregard for human beings.
Judge Royal Hansen: "Your actions show that you are a danger to the community."
Last summer the two teens were partying with friends in Draper when 18-year-old Amelia Sorich overdosed on a mix of cocaine and heroin, that Petersen made.
Instead of calling 911 however, Petersen and 19-year-old Jason Calacino waited. Sorich died and the two hid her body.
A hiker found Sorich's body in the hills above Bountiful. At that time authorities said Sorich's collapse frightened the two teens and that's why they dumped her body.
Sgt. Dan Starks, South Jordan Police Dept., June 2005: "I believe an effort to resuscitate her through CPR was unsuccessful. One or more of the friends that were there with her apparently became panicked and decided to drive her to the Bountiful location, where they left her behind."
Petersen pleaded guilty to desecration of a dead body and negligent homicide in April. And has remained in prison since her plea, because she had missed several court appearances in the case.
The judge acknowledged Petersen's drug problem and invited her to get treatment.
