SALT LAKE CITY — Months after a 12-year-old West Haven boy died from child abuse suffered at the hands of his family, the boy's father was sentenced after pleading guilty earlier this year to his son's death.
Appearing in an emotional Ogden courtroom Tuesday, Shane Peterson was sentenced to 5 years to life in prison for the child abuse homicide death of his son, Gavin. He was also sentenced on other charges, including one to 15 years for the abuse of his Gavin's sister, and other sentences that will be served consecutively.
"I do think that you're entitled to the maximum sentence of this case,” said Judge Camille L. Neider at the Second District Courthouse in Ogden.
The sentence was announced after Peterson spoke to the court, saying that he wanted to express how sorry he was about Gavin's death.
"To my kids, especially my daughter, I'd like to express how deeply sorry I am for my role in the abuse and the trauma that they all went through in my home,” said Peterson, also addressing a letter read in the court from his daughter, who also endured abuse. “I've had several opportunities to interfere and protect you, but I chose not to do so. I am truly sorry, and I hope that you forgive me."
In her comments before the sentence, Judge Neider became teary-eyed, saying she appeared more emotional than he was.
"You were Gavin's dad. I don’t think you deserve that title anymore, but there’s nothing that can be done to change that,” said Judge Neider. “I don’t believe for a minute that you weren't part and parcel of a significant portion of the abuse that he endured."
The courtroom was filled with family members, including Gavin’s mom, and others who have been following the case closely and want to see justice for Gavin. There was not a single dry eye. Even Judge Neider said in her 25 years in a courtroom, this was the first time she remembered getting teary-eyed during a case.
"It is without question that Gavin experienced physical pain prior to his ultimate death,” Judge Neider read from a letter submitted to the court record by Dr. Laskey from the University of Utah, who studied Gavin’s case. "In the days leading up to his preventable death, his father reported he was vomiting and had at least one seizure. No medical care was sought. It’s likely that the symptoms described were the early signs of the bacterial infection that would soon kill him."
Gavin Peterson was found unresponsive in his family's home on July 9 and later died in the hospital with what investigators said were signs of a "prolonged pattern of abuse." An investigation into the 12-year-old's death showed his organs had shut down completely due to malnutrition.
Findings of investigation into handling of Gavin Peterson case released:
The investigation also showed that his family discussed beating him and not feeding the boy, only giving him small servings of water and bread.
Along with his father, Gavin's brother, Tyler, and his father's girlfriend, Nichole Scott, were arrested and charged with the boy's death.
As early as 2020, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services had received reports that Gavin was the victim of abuse, but failed to step in before he died.
How high DCFS turnover, high caseloads affect Utah children facing abuse:
Rachel Reynolds worked at Gavin’s school, and she supervised his breakfast room.
"The principal had been told by the parents not to give him food due to medications that he was on, but we would see him pull food out of the trash and run with it,” said Reynolds. "We couldn’t let that happen, so we gave him food every day. I just wish we could have been there to feed him at his house."
Shane Peterson and Tyler Peterson pleaded guilty on March 23 to first-degree child homicide, as well as additional charges related to child abuse. Scott pleaded guilty to murder and other charges in April, with her sentencing set for May 12.
