Mom gets probation after Bible-inspired botched circumcision

PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) A 30-year-old Portland woman who botched a home
circumcision of her 3-month-old son has been sentenced to five years of
probation.

Keemonta Peterson was arrested last April after a lengthy
investigation into the October 2010 incident. Peterson, inspired after
reading the Old Testament, decided she wanted her son to be circumcised.

But because she believed he was too old to be circumcised by
doctors, she decided to do it herself, after watching YouTube videos.

She called 911 after the botched circumcision left her son bleeding
uncontrollably and in great pain.

On Monday (Aug. 15), Peterson pleaded guilty to first-degree
criminal mistreatment and agreed to undergo mental health treatment and
to work with a mental health probation officer. Two other charges of
abuse were dismissed.

Doctors completed the circumcision and the boy has fully recovered,
said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney John Casalino. The boy
and his three siblings are in the state's care, although Peterson can
see them under supervision.

The circumcision was "an aberration during a down period in her
life," said her court-appointed lawyer, Scott Raivio. Multnomah County
Circuit Judge Eric Bergstrom agreed there was little benefit in Peterson
spending any more time in jail than the 28 days she already served.

Despite the "sensational-sounding facts," said Bergstrom, "the
reality is you love your children and had absolutely no intent to harm
your child."