Man arrested in homicide investigation

OREM — An Orem man who worked with disabled adults has been arrested for investigation of child abuse homicide.

Orem Police say Christopher Scott Thunborg, 22, called 911 just before 7 a.m. Tuesday morning to report that his girlfriend's baby, 13-month-old Austin Pettersson, wasn't breathing.

Paramedics arrived at the apartment complex at 1363 S. 400 West in Orem minutes later, "scooped the baby up," and rushed to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where the baby soon died, said Orem Police Lt. Doug Edwards.

Initial medical reports revealed the baby had suspicious bruises on his back and stomach — the result of blunt force trauma — as well as a lacerated stomach and ruptured bowels, Edwards said.

Pettersson's mother, Whitney, had been working Monday night on a graveyard shift at the Utah State Developmental Center, and had left Thunborg in charge of the child.

Both Whitney Pettersson and Thunborg are employed as developmentalists at the Developmental Center in American Fork, working to help mentally and physically disabled adults develop the skills to live independently.

Both are still employed, although Thunborg is currently on administrative leave, said Liz Sollis, spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Human Services

When Whitney Pettersson returned from work early Tuesday and was about to take a shower, Thunborg told her the baby wasn't breathing, then called 911.

The 911 tape is not being released because it is being considered evidence in the case, Edwards said.

Police interviewed another female roommate in the apartment that night who said she heard the baby crying around midnight, but knew the child had been sick and fussy, so she turned over and went back to sleep.

Officers were unable to locate Thunborg until Wednesday afternoon when they made phone contact, and Thunborg agreed to come into the station.

He initially told officers the bruising was from falling while carrying the child, but when pressed, refused to talk anymore and asked for an attorney, Edwards said. He was then arrested and will be taken to the Utah County Jail sometime today from the Orem holding cell.

Edwards said the bruising is consistent with blunt force trauma, not related to shaking injuries.

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