An Oregon mother who tried to circumcise her newborn at home was sentenced to five years probation.
Keemonta Peterson, 29, said she was inspired by the Old Testament and made the attempt with a box cutter last October, sending her three-month-old to the hospital, according to The Associated Press. She pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment.
Peterson decided to do the surgery herself after watching YouTube videos because she believed he was too old to be circumcised by doctors, according to Oregon Live. She called 911 when the baby began bleeding uncontrollably and was in intense pain.
A prosecutor said the baby has made a full recovery. Local Fox affiliate KPTV reports that doctors completed the circumcision and the baby boy will have no lasting effects from the procedure.
The baby boy, and Peterson's three other children, are currently in state custody, but Peterson is allowed supervised visits.
"She's had two psychological evaluations and no one thinks she is a danger to society," her attorney, Scott Raivio, told KPTV, explaining the botched circumcision incident was "an aberration during a down period in her life."
The judge agreed. "You love your children and have absolutely no intent to harm your child. The good news is that your son is not permanently harmed," Judge Eric Bergstorm said.
