Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Shane Peterson faces sentencing for child abuse homicide of his son, Gavin.
- Prosecutors seek maximum punishment, citing severe abuse and multiple victims, including siblings.
- Peterson's guilty plea and lack of criminal history is considered as part of the Tuesday sentencing.
OGDEN — Prosecutors are requesting the maximum possible punishment for Shane Jesse Peterson, 47, in a harrowing case of child abuse homicide involving his 12-year-old son, Gavin Peterson.
The sentencing memorandum, presented by Deputy Weber County Attorneys Letitia J. Toombs and Kevin W. McGaha, detailed the severe and prolonged abuse Gavin endured, ultimately leading to his tragic death.
Shane Peterson is scheduled in court on Tuesday, May 6, at 4 p.m.
On July 9, 2024, law enforcement responded to a 911 call reporting that Gavin had fallen in the bathtub and was nonresponsive. Despite being informed that Gavin wasn't breathing, it took 21 minutes for Shane Peterson to initiate the 911 call. Upon arrival, emergency responders found Gavin unresponsive, cold to the touch, and covered in severe sores and injuries.
Gavin was rushed to the hospital, where he was found to have suffered complete organ failure.
The investigation revealed that Gavin had been subjected to extreme physical and psychological abuse over a period of five years. He was isolated, starved, and forced to live in deplorable conditions.
Gavin's room was described as a cell, with a painted plywood floor and surveillance cameras to monitor his movements. He was often left in a dirty diaper and deprived of basic necessities, including food and medical care.
Aggravating factors
The sentencing memorandum highlighted several aggravating factors, including:
- Substantial physical and psychological injury to Gavin.
- Extreme cruelty and depravity in the treatment of Gavin.
- Abuse involving multiple victims, including Gavin's two siblings.
- Prolonged abuse over a significant period.
- Impact on victims.
Gavin's siblings, referred to as M.P. and B.P. in the document, also suffered from the abusive environment. M.P. endured physical abuse and psychological torment, while half-sibling B.P. was exposed to controlled substances and witnessed the abuse of his siblings.
"In many cases of child torture, the other siblings are coopted into the abuse, being told that their sibling deserves what is happening, sometimes having the siblings participate in the abuse by taunting them (e.g., eating in front of them, teasing them, calling them names), or engaging in physical abuse or restraint of the victim. When these things happen, the surviving children learn to scapegoat, victim blame and lack empathy for suffering," wrote Dr. Antoinette Laskey, a board-certified child abuse pediatrician in the report.
Additionally, prosecutors argued the emotional toll on the family and secondary victims, including school staff and bus drivers who tried to help Gavin, was profound.
Sentencing request
Shane Peterson entered a guilty plea to child abuse homicide, aggravated child abuse and child endangerment. The court is considering the gravity and circumstances of the offenses, the number of victims, and Peterson's history and character.
Despite Peterson's lack of substantial criminal history, the prosecution has requested the maximum possible punishment, emphasizing the severity of the abuse and the need for justice for Gavin and his siblings.
Prosecutors also argued that since his arrest, Peterson has shown a disregard for "basic rules" as he pursued "his own goals and pleasures without regard for rules or regulations." For example, while incarcerated, Peterson made prohibited phone calls to co-defendant Nichole Scott through three-way calls.
In a monitored jail call after entering a plea, Peterson also stated that he managed to "push out a tear for the judge."
"As Gavin's biological father, Shane Peterson, a well-educated, 47-year-old man, failed to provide natural affection and care for his own son, and looked on with approval as that child was starved, secluded, dehumanized and tortured in his own house and in front of Gavin's siblings. Shane Peterson's ability to engage in appropriate physical or moral decisions regarding the most vulnerable among us, innocent children, does not appear to exist," prosecutors argued in the memorandum.
Nichole Scott, 50, Shane's wife and Gavin's stepmother, is scheduled in court on May 12 at 2 p.m.
Child abuse resources:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
Help with Children
Those who feel stressed out with a child, who need a break or who feel like they need counseling or training can reach out to one of the following agencies:
- The Family Support Center has 15 locations throughout the state and offers a free crisis nursery for parents who have to keep appointments or who are stressed out. They also offer counseling and family mentoring. Call 801-955-9110 or visit familysupportcenter.org/contact.php for more information.
- Prevent Child Abuse Utah provides home visiting in Weber, Davis, and Box Elder counties. Parent Educators provide support, education, and activities for families with young children. Their statewide education team offers diverse trainings on protective factors, digital safety, bullying, and child sex trafficking. They are available for in-person or virtual trainings and offer free online courses for the community at pcautah.org.
- The Office of Home Visiting works with local agencies to provide home visits to pregnant women and young families who would like to know more about being parents. Home visitors are trained and can provide information about breastfeeding, developmental milestones, toilet training, nutrition, mental health, home safety, child development, and much more. Find out more at homevisiting.utah.gov.
- The Safe Haven law allows birth parents in Utah to safely and anonymously give up custody of their newborn child at any hospital in the state, with no legal consequences and no questions asked. The child's mother can drop off the child, or the mother can ask someone else to do it for her. The newborns should be dropped off at hospitals that are open 24 hours a day. Newborns given up in this manner will be cared for by the hospital staff, and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services will find a home for the child. For more information, visit utahsafehaven.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 866-458-0058.
