Community pays tribute following death of West Haven boy
-
- A memorial for Gavin Peterson, placed outside of the boy’s former home, is pictured Friday, July 19, 2024.
-
- This photo from a crowdfunding campaign titled “Support Gavin’s Family After Tragic Loss” shows Gavin Peterson.
WEST HAVEN — A community is in mourning following the death of a 12-year-old boy in West Haven.
The boy — identified in an online obituary and a GoFundMe campaign as Gavin Hansen Peterson — died July 9. Earlier this week, the boy’s father, Shane Peterson; stepmother, Nichole Scott; and brother Tyler Peterson were arrested in connection with his death.
They now face a litany of charges, including reckless child abuse homicide.
In the wake of Gavin’s passing, a memorial has been erected on the chainlink fence just outside of his former home using ribbons, plush toys and more.
“Gavin was intelligent, funny and kind with a curious nature,” the obituary reads. “(He) enjoyed science and learning about the solar system. His favorite color was blue, and he liked Pokémon, and the Nintendo Switch.”
It was further noted that he was “a bright spark and was destined to be a huge personality, even though his time on earth was cut tragically short.”
The GoFundMe campaign stated that Gavin suffered “years of physical abuse and neglect.”
On Friday, Weber School District released a statement regarding “the death of a former student.” The release noted that “multiple complaints were filed by school employees with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services related to suspected abuse and neglect of this child.”
The release also stated that the child had attended an elementary school within the district during the 2022-23 school year but was withdrawn in August 2023 after a guardian completed an affidavit for homeschool.
“The district is currently offering support to teachers and school employees who have been affected by this horrific tragedy,” the release read. “The death of any student can have a profound effect on those who knew them and who were involved in their education. … We will also look for ways to support and care for other family members of this student who may have ties to our district.”