LAKE STEVENS — A Lake Stevens woman who for a time faced a manslaughter charge in her baby’s death after taping a pacifier in his mouth has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against police.
Bonnie Peterson is suing the Lake Stevens and Arlington police, the cities of Lake Stevens and Arlington and Snohomish County, according to papers filed May 27 in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
She’s arguing that her rights were violated, alleging police did not have probable cause to arrest her or have her placed in jail.
Peterson was 19 in June 2007 when her newborn, Noah, died. She woke up and found the 4-month-old wasn’t breathing. Noah was dead when paramedics arrived.
Later, police found evidence that Peterson, who went by Desmond at the time, had used tape to secure a pacifier to the infant’s mouth, had tied the baby up with pajamas and fed the child peanut butter, court documents said.
Although prosecutors charged Peterson in Everett District Court alleging manslaughter, the case was dismissed within weeks when it wasn’t swiftly brought to Snohomish County Superior Court.
In Sept. 2007, Snohomish County prosecutors decided against pursuing the case after a medical examiner’s report showed no connection between what Peterson did and the child’s death.
The cause of the child’s death has never been determined.
The young woman was particularly upset that she was jailed and not able to attend Noah’s funeral, her father, Rick Desmond, said.
Lake Stevens Police Chief Randy Celori said the city hadn’t been served notice of the lawsuit. He declined further comment.
Peterson is represented by Pouslbo attorney Thomas S. Olmstead. He also declined comment Thursday.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com
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