Dad Charged After He and Young Kids Are Rescued
Snow covers the Wasatch Mountains, Wednesday, April 8, 2024, near Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
A Utah father has been charged with multiple felonies, including child torture and aggravated child abuse, after authorities say he forced his three young children—ages 2, 4, and 8—into a perilous mountain trek that ended in their dramatic rescue last month, according to the New York Times.
Micah Smith, 31, was indicted this week, roughly six weeks after he and his children were found in the rugged terrain of Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City. The group had been reported overdue the day before.
Investigators say Smith and the children began their hike around 9 a.m. on Oct. 11 and reached a summit roughly 3,100 feet higher by early evening. By then, conditions had deteriorated into fog, rain, and hail. Early reports initially portrayed Smith as a protective parent who endured frostbite while keeping his children safe, and a GoFundMe campaign was even launched on that basis.
However, authorities now say the situation was far more troubling. According to investigators, Smith forced the children to continue across dangerous, unstable terrain that was completely inappropriate for their ages. Video found on Smith’s phone reportedly captured his daughter asking, “Are we going to freeze to death, daddy?”
Police say that two hours after reaching the summit, Smith attempted to find shelter. During the descent, the 2-year-old reportedly struck his head and appeared dazed. Later, while trying to construct a makeshift shelter, Smith told investigators the toddler lost consciousness and possibly stopped breathing until he performed CPR. Smith also claimed the 4-year-old later struggled to breathe, prompting Smith to teach the 8-year-old how to perform CPR before he left the children alone and continued down the mountain.
Rescuers found the children the next day in grave condition. Two were hospitalized in critical condition. The oldest child, an 8-year-old girl, was found sheltering behind a boulder. The 2-year-old boy was discovered beneath his 4-year-old brother, who was unconscious and appeared “lifeless,” according to ABC 4. The 4-year-old reportedly had no pulse, and responders performed CPR for 25 minutes before detecting a faint heart rhythm. His body temperature upon arrival at the hospital was said to be just 62.6 degrees, and he had suffered a stroke that required part of his skull to be removed to allow a drain to be placed.
Authorities say Smith had been “clearly spiraling” before the hike, citing prior suicidal thoughts. He was taken into custody on Tuesday.
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