On anniversary of Gavin Peterson’s death, lawmaker says she’ll revamp bill
Jul 9, 2025, 8:45 PM
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday released a timeline of involvement the state Division of Child and Family Services had with 12-year-old Gavin Peterson and his family prior to his death in July. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday marked one year since the death of 12-year-old Gavin Peterson of West Haven, Utah. A Utah lawmaker used the occasion to discuss revamping a bill that could prevent cases like Peterson’s from happening again.
Court documents show that Peterson died from complete organ failure after being starved and abused by his father, stepmother, and oldest brother for years. His father and stepmother are now in prison, potentially for the rest of their lives.
“I think that justice was served in that case, for the people who did that to him, but it doesn’t make it any easier to handle,” said Rep. Christine Watkins, R-Price.
Watkins tried running a bill in the 2025 Legislative Session that would allow judges to grant search warrants to case workers when, after an extended period of time, they haven’t been able to see or contact a child they’ve been asked to check up on.
“We need to know that kids are safe, that they’re being taken care of,” she said.
Related: Utah lawmakers opt not to vote on bill that would make it easier for child case workers to obtain warrants
In Gavin’s case, nobody saw him for months before he died.
“We just can’t allow that … We’re human beings. We’re social beings, especially children.”
That bill failed in committee after multiple people voiced concern that it would make it easier to enter a home, since some reports are unfounded. However, Watkins said she’s going to take another crack at it in the next session.
Watkins said she will also clarify some parts of the bill, such as which courts would issue these warrants, and do more to educate and address concerns about it.
“I think of that little boy and what he went through, and it still breaks my heart,” Watkins said. “My heart still is broken for him, truly, because that should’ve never happened.”
Contributing: Michelle Lee and Simone Seikaly
Related: Community members press DCFS for answers on abuse, death of Gavin Peterson
