A 30-year-old Portland woman who botched a home circumcision of her 3-month-old son was sentenced today to five years of probation.



Keemonta Peterson pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment. She also must undergo mental health treatment and work with a mental health probation officer as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. The other two charges of abuse were dismissed.

Peterson was arrested in 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.

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 Peterson's court-appointed lawyer, Scott Raivio. She has shown herself to be "a very natural, caring and loving mother" by all accounts, he said.

Multnomah County Circuit Judge Eric Bergstrom agreed that there would be no benefit in sentencing Peterson to any more time in jail than the 28 days she has 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."

As Peterson thanked the judge, she choked up, apologizing for her actions. She added that she was grateful for the chance to still be with her family.

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