Layna Rose Peterson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On July 6, 2014 before noon Amber Gundy found her 14 month old daughter Layna unresponsive, she called 911. Layna was already dead when police arrived. It was Layna's father Christopher Peterson who took her life because he became frustrated with her crying. Peterson had a history of violence, he was on supervised probation at the time Layna died for chocking Gundy in December of 2013. Gundy told police she slapped Peterson multiple times in a fight about “trust issues.” She then described to police how he “placed one hand on her throat and one hand over her mouth and nose.” Peterson admitted to police two days later that he had, “in fact, choked the Gundy.

 

Peterson first drew suspicion by child protection services in December, when bruises along Layna’s jaw line were detected during a medical exam. Peterson explained to authorities that he grabbed his daughter by the jaw in an effort to control her mouth while feeding her a bottle. CPS’s involvement with the family was still active at the time of Layna’s death. Peterson admitted to authorities that on several occasions he had become frustrated with Layna’s crying and to stop her he placed his hand over her mouth and pinched her nostrils closed until she stopped fussing. Peterson was charged with second-degree murder and will receive the maximum 40 year prison sentence.

 

May 11, 2013 - July 6, 2014