Community pays tribute to West Haven boy’s death | News, Sports, Jobs

WEST HAVEN – A community is mourning the death of a 12-year-old boy in West Haven.

The boy – identified in an online obituary and GoFundMe campaign as Gavin Hansen Peterson – died on July 9. Earlier this week, the boy’s father, Shane Peterson, his stepmother, Nichole Scott, and his brother, Tyler Peterson, were arrested in connection with his death.

They now face a number of charges, including negligent homicide for child abuse.

After Gavin’s death, a memorial with ribbons, stuffed animals and more was erected on the chain link fence directly in front of his former home.

“Gavin was intelligent, funny and kind and had an inquisitive nature,” the obituary reads. “(He) was interested in science and learning about the solar system. His favorite color was blue and he enjoyed Pokémon and the Nintendo Switch.”

It further noted that he was “a bright mind and destined to become a great personality, even though his time on earth was tragically cut short.”

The GoFundMe campaign said Gavin had suffered “years of physical abuse and neglect.”

On Friday, the Weber School District released a statement regarding the “death of a former student.” The press release said that “school officials have filed multiple complaints with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services regarding suspected abuse and neglect of this child.”

The release also stated that the child had attended an elementary school in the district during the 2022-23 school year, but was removed from school in August 2023 after a guardian filed an affidavit for home schooling.

“The district is currently offering support to teachers and school staff affected by this terrible tragedy,” the release said. “The death of a student can have a profound impact on those who knew him and were involved in his education. … We will also look for ways to support and care for other family members of that student who may have ties to our district.”

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