Oregon woman 'used box cutter and pliers to circumcise three-month-old son at home... after learning how on YouTube'



A mother is to go on trial for assault after allegedly using a box cutter and a pair of pliers to circumcise her three-month-old son.

Keemonta Peterson told police she had watched YouTube videos on how to carry out the surgical procedure.

The mother-of-four is alleged to have left her baby son bleeding for two hours before finally calling emergency services.

Do-it-yourself: Keemonta Peterson faces trial after she allegedly decided to circumcise her baby at home in midnight 'operation' after reading Bible

Peterson, 29, said she was inspired to carry out the DIY operation at her home in Portland, Oregon, after reading the Bible.

According to an arrest report Peterson began the operation at midnight using a box cutter knife as a scalpel and the pliers as a tourniquet.

When the bleeding would not stop on the botched operation she tried to stitch up the wound while her distressed 13 year old son watched.

After two hours of ‘uncontrolled’ bleeding Peterson called paramedics.

Her son, who has not been named, was listed in critical condition but has since made a full recovery following the October incident.

Following her arrest Peterson told detectives she decided on the DIY circumcision as hospitals in Portland will not carry out the operation of boys older than four weeks.

Peterson was arrested last month and charged with first and second degree assault.

Her bail was set at $550,000 but following a hearing was reduced to $5,000 and she was released from jail.

Prosecutors told the court Peterson had voiced her concerns about her mental health and said she had suffered hallucinations that prevented her from sleeping for days.

Her four children are being looked after by social workers and Peterson is to go on trial in June.