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Utah woman accused of killing 12-year-old stepson pleads guilty, joining 2 other relatives

Nichole Scott’s change of plea comes weeks after co-defendants Shane and Tyler Peterson also entered guilty pleas.

(GoFundMe) Gavin Peterson, 12, died in July 2024 after authorities suspect his father, stepmother and older brother abused him for "several years."

(GoFundMe) Gavin Peterson, 12, died in July 2024 after authorities suspect his father, stepmother and older brother abused him for "several years."

  | April 10, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

A third relative charged with killing 12-year-old Gavin Peterson has pleaded guilty and is anticipated to be sentenced next month.

Nichole Scott, the boy’s stepmother, was the last remaining co-defendant in criminal cases filed after Gavin died from malnutrition in July 2024. Public school employees had notified the Division of Child and Family Services of suspected abuse multiple times before Gavin was pulled out of school and later died. DCFS later said that reports to Utah child welfare workers about Gavin’s family dated back to his infancy.

Scott pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of murder, a first-degree felony; three counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of obstruction of justices, both second-degree felonies; one count of endangerment of a child, a third-degree felony; and one misdemeanor drug charge.

While hers was not a capital case — meaning prosecutors could seek the death penalty — Scott’s defense attorney Randy Marshall said Wednesday it “potentially could have become one, if we had not resolved it.”

“Everyone,” he said, “is relieved to have this matter resolved. It’s just a difficult case.”

Gavin’s father and brother, who were also charged in his death, pleaded guilty in March.

Shane Peterson, the boy’s father, is scheduled to be sentenced May 6, and will spend at least eight years in prison, according to the terms of his plea agreement. The Utah parole board will ultimately determine how long he is behind bars — including whether to keep him in prison for life.

Tyler Peterson pleaded guilty with a mental condition, meaning he will be evaluated by mental health professionals to determine if he should serve his sentence in prison, or a treatment facility, or both. A hearing to discuss that evaluation is planned for April 24.

Scott, who remains in jail, is scheduled to be sentenced May 12.

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