The recent death of 12-year-old Gavin Peterson has brought attention to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), who had been investigating the Peterson family for years prior to Gavin’s passing. Gavin died on July 9, and soon after, his father Shane Peterson, stepmother Nichole Scott, and brother Tyler Peterson were arrested for child abuse homicide. The report from DCFS revealed a history of involvement with the Peterson family dating back to 2013, with various incidents of suspected abuse and neglect being reported over the years. Despite receiving multiple reports and conducting investigations, DCFS closed the case in May 2021 after the Peterson family completed mandated in-home services. However, in March 2023, new reports of physical neglect against Gavin prompted a new investigation, which revealed that Gavin had been a victim of severe and chronic abuse and neglect by his family members. The investigation also found that a relative who had witnessed the abuse failed to take action. The Peterson family members were arrested in July 2024 and their cases are pending. DCFS has faced criticism for their handling of the case, as it is alleged that they did not intervene effectively to protect Gavin. The tragic death of Gavin has highlighted the importance of vigilance in cases of child abuse and neglect, and the need for improved systems to prevent such tragedies from happening.
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