Stepmother Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of 12-Year-Old Boy
OGDEN, Utah (KSL.com) — Nichole Scott, the stepmother of 12-year-old Gavin Peterson, has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years and potentially life in prison after pleading guilty to his murder. During her sentencing on Monday, Second District Judge Camille Neider described the boy’s treatment as akin to the horrors of concentration camps, citing isolation, dehumanization, and severe neglect.
Gavin died from sepsis on July 9, 2024, after being found locked in a bare room without basic necessities. Judge Neider expressed that Scott, 51, was the "architect of Gavin’s destruction," emphasizing the daily opportunities Scott had to intervene and protect him. “You did everything you could to strip Gavin of his humanity,” the judge remarked.
Emotional during the hearing, Scott claimed she wished she could change the past and offered apologies to Gavin’s mother and siblings, though she interrupted the judge’s graphic account of Gavin’s suffering. Neider dismissed her claims of misunderstanding, asserting Scott had fabricated her own narrative.
Scott’s sentence includes 15 years to life for murder along with various additional terms for aggravated child abuse and obstruction of justice, totaling at least 20 years behind bars. Neider branded the case “absolutely horrific,” emphasizing Gavin’s desire for a nurturing life filled with love.
Family and school staff supporting Gavin expressed their grief and outrage in court. Gavin’s sister criticized both Scott and their father, Shane Peterson, for their abusive behavior, invoking a profound emotional toll on the family. Shane Peterson, also facing significant jail time, has yet to be sentenced.
Prosecutors characterized Scott as unremorseful, consistently deflecting blame to Gavin, showcasing a troubling pattern of neglect and abuse. Attorney Letitia Toombs stated, “Scott deserves every second of imprisonment,” highlighting the severity of the case.
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