A 12-year-old boy was found dead in his father’s home. He was malnourished and showed signs of abuse.

Galvin Peterson, a 12-year-old boy, was found dead in his father’s home on July 9 in Utah, United States of America.

According to MirrorAuthorities received a 911 call for a child who was “not breathing” and “suffering from vomiting.” Upon arrival, they and paramedics attempted to resuscitate the boy, but Gavin was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Doctors discovered that the child was suffering from severe malnutrition, even to the point of organ failure.

Police believe the boy was a victim of abuse “over several years” and subsequently Shane Peterson, the child’s father, Nicole Scott, his stepmother and older brother Tyler Peterson were arrested on suspicion of death and the aforementioned abuse.

According to the same source, CCTV footage and correspondence between family members has been found revealing details of the days leading up to Gavin’s death, including that the child was given “just a piece of bread” and “a third of a glass of water” to eat and was not allowed to use the toilet.

The authorities’ report also says the boy was assaulted and locked in a room without food. The child “was locked out of his room several times and had to bang on the door to get out,” they add.

“In most of the images, the child is simply wearing a diaper. The child can be seen curled up on the bedroom floor as there are no bedding or blankets. Some of the images also show wounds on the child’s back,” according to a spokesperson for the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in the United States.

Shane, Nicole and Tyler were charged with child abuse-related murder and aggravated child abuse. Nicole was also charged with drug possession.

Gavin’s mother, Melanie Peterson, lost custody of her son between 2014 and 2015 after being convicted of drug possession and is now trying to raise $30,000 (around €28,000) to cover funeral costs.