5-year-old found covered in blood, woman arrested for child abuse

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — The West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) has arrested a woman on allegations of child abuse after a 5-year-old child was found with blood on their face and soaked with water.

Petrice Gustafson, 35, is facing charges of aggravated child abuse, disarming a police officer, and burglary.

In a press release from police, they state that witnesses found the 5-year-old walking in the area of 3100 S and 6400 W in West Valley City. An arresting statement says that the child was walking door-to-door to ask for help. According to witnesses, the child had blood on their face and was soaked with water.

Witnesses also told police that Gustafson was walking around the area looking for the child. According to police, she said that she had attempted to kill the child and asked somebody to call 911. Gustafson then entered one of the neighbors’ homes and assaulted someone inside.

Police arrived on the scene and took Gustafson into custody. According to the police department, she reached for the holstered gun of an officer and touched it twice. She told “the officer to give her their gun and that they were going to have to kill her,” according to a release.

The 5-year-old told police that Gustafson had hit him with a statue and attempted to drown him, according to an arrest statement. He was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries to his head, WVCPD said.

Officers uncovered video showing Gustafson striking the child and threatening him. They also found evidence of the child abuse happening in the home, including blood throughout the home, a broken statue, and a full bathtub.

Gustafson is currently in the Salt Lake County Jail and is being held without bail.