UT – Micah Smith charged after kids survive freezing night lost in mountains; also accused of tampering with their medical equipment, 11 Oct 2025

[windshifter]

Are we going to freeze to death, daddy?’ Father of overdue hikers in Big Cottonwood Canyon charged with multiple counts of child torture

This article has some very interesting tidbits, after reading it's hard not to wonder if he didn't WANT the children to die. This was not an easy trail, bad weather was forecasted to come in, which they were not prepared for.

• Father took an 8yo, 4yo, 2yo on a mountain hike and did not return.
• Located next morning after freezing overnight exposure.
• Children were hypothermic; 2 in critical condition.
• Minimal clothing, makeshift shelter noted by rescuers.
• Smith charged with multiple counts of child torture/abuse.
• He was trespassed from the children's hospital for tampering with their medical equipment.

Another article from the Salt Lake Tribune

"Smith’s “behavior is clearly spiraling,” the deputy wrote. “And he’s not only a danger to himself, but he is a danger to these victims. The defendant’s intentional and selfish act left his children in grave danger, with one of them dying and being revived multiple times, and will never fully recover.”"

 

[tlcya]

who identified himself as Micah Smith’s brother — the brother wrote that Micah Smith “bravely sacrificed himself” to protect his children.
Utah father charged with child torture after winter storm hike that left kids near death

beg pardon??

Sacrificed the safety and wellbeing of his children for his selfish pride you mean? In what ways did he "sacrifice" himself?
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When search and rescue crews found Smith, they "noted that Smith was behaving oddly and did not appear to be concerned about the children. Smith also told search and rescue team members that one of his children was dead," according to the charges.

The 4-year-old boy "was mostly exposed, unconscious and 'appeared lifeless,'" and had no pulse and his body temperature was 62-degrees Fahrenheit when he was found, the charges state. While being transported to a local hospital, the boy received about 25 minutes of CPR. At the hospital, he "suffered a stroke, which required a portion of his skull to be removed and an external ventricular drain to be placed."
'Extremely selfish' dad charged with taking young kids on dangerous hike that ended in a rescue

Of all the boneheaded prideful moronic deadly decisions I hope he is found guilty and sentenced to the max.

 

[justtrish]

I was just searching for a thread on this case and didn't see one, but then this one popped up. Thank you for starting one @windshifter

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

He should be held responsible for taking the kids out there. But I don't think we know enough to hold his behavior after they were discovered against him. He was likely delirious.

MOO.

 

[NuttMegg]

who identified himself as Micah Smith’s brother — the brother wrote that Micah Smith “bravely sacrificed himself” to protect his children.
Utah father charged with child torture after winter storm hike that left kids near death

beg pardon??

Sacrificed the safety and wellbeing of his children for his selfish pride you mean? In what ways did he "sacrifice" himself?
-------------
When search and rescue crews found Smith, they "noted that Smith was behaving oddly and did not appear to be concerned about the children. Smith also told search and rescue team members that one of his children was dead," according to the charges.

The 4-year-old boy "was mostly exposed, unconscious and 'appeared lifeless,'" and had no pulse and his body temperature was 62-degrees Fahrenheit when he was found, the charges state. While being transported to a local hospital, the boy received about 25 minutes of CPR. At the hospital, he "suffered a stroke, which required a portion of his skull to be removed and an external ventricular drain to be placed."
'Extremely selfish' dad charged with taking young kids on dangerous hike that ended in a rescue

Of all the boneheaded prideful moronic deadly decisions I hope he is found guilty and sentenced to the max.

When I first read the "sacrifice himself" last month, all I could think of is that his brother thinks he should have left them up there?

Aside from that....matches, survival wraps, wth. I've been carrying those practically weightless items with me on even insignificant hikes for decades.

That 4 year old, ES, with the core temp of 62, who then suffered a stroke, could face a life of diminished mental capacity at the least.

 

[windshifter]

He should be held responsible for taking the kids out there. But I don't think we know enough to hold his behavior after they were discovered against him. He was likely delirious.

MOO.

While I don't completely disagree, it was Nov 10 (one month later) that he was trespassed from the hospital, no way to excuse that

MOO

 

[windshifter]

From Fox 13

"According to the Cottonwood Heights Police Department, one month before the incident, Smith had expressed suicidal thoughts and was found with multiple firearms attempting to locate a mountain. At the time, Smith told an officer that he was "going through a really hard time" and was going to "hike up to the top of the mountain." However, despite two guns and an axe discovered in his vehicle, Smith denied that he was going to harm himself."

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

While I don't completely disagree, it was Nov 10 (one month later) that he was trespassed from the hospital, no way to excuse that

MOO

I don't really understand what happened there.

 

[windshifter]

I don't really understand what happened there.

Yeah it's not too specific, but the Fox 13 article had a bit more info:

"Smith was found accused of trespassing at Primary Children's Hospital and interfering with his 4-year-old son's medical care and tampering with equipment.
...

Following the hospital incident, Smith was arrested for domestic violence, although information about what occurred to cause that action has not been released."

 

[NuttMegg]

I think this may be a huge clue from your link. This guy was playing mind games with his wife: it was HER fault, all of it.
-------‐-----------
"Smith also sent multiple text messages to his wife, who asked if the children were safe. At 5:18 p.m., Smith replied, "Yes, [The 4-year-old] is exhausted. We're almost to the very top, but everyone is starting to fail and it's starting to rain. I'm getting tired of carrying [2-year-old]. It's tough with three children and no second parent."

Utah father who went missing with 3 children on hike charged with child torture, abuse

A Utah father who went missing overnight last month with his three children in Big Cottonwood Canyon has been charged with multiple counts of child torture and aggravated child abuse.

www.fox13now.com

 

[NuttMegg]

Search and Rescue teams described the trail as hazardous with unstable ground. One deputy noted it took over five hours to reach the point of the trail where the children were located. BBM

Father faces child torture charges after 'nightmare' hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Smith and his three children - a 2-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl - were reported missing on Oct. 12.

kutv.com

 

[Mauig’ma]

How sad for these children. God Speed they recover quickly from their injuries. More importantly from the mental anguish he put them through

 

[Ladyotm]

Dad seems to have some serious mental health and parenting issues. IMO. It has been reported that The child that was in critical condition is out of the coma and speaking in full sentences.

 

[tlcya]

Dad seems to have some serious mental health and parenting issues. IMO. It has been reported that The child that was in critical condition is out of the coma and speaking in full sentences.

oh thank goodness. There were serious doubts as to whether the child would suffer serious and permanent damage from the prolonged lack of oxygen.

 

[Serononin]

This is horrifying, I hope all three children recover, physically and mentally. And I hope their mother is doing okay, I can't imagine what this must have been like for her, too

 

[tlcya]

this guy sounds like a cross between two personality types. Travis Decker and Ruby Franke. UGGGGH poor kids.

 

[acutename]

this guy sounds like a cross between two personality types. Travis Decker and Ruby Franke. UGGGGH poor kids.

definitely sounds unstable but he also, from the photos, seems to be 6ft+ and at least 200lbs... some men seem to have zero idea how much smaller and more vulnerable their children are- a 2 yr old in freezing temps- I don't know but I have seen even presumably saner parents try to push kids to run further, bike further, etc. and the kids just plain cannot- they are not 6ft+ and 200lbs.

 

[Sjöberg]

"According to the Cottonwood Heights Police Department, one month before the incident, Smith had expressed suicidal thoughts and was found with multiple firearms attempting to locate a mountain. At the time, Smith told an officer that he was "going through a really hard time" and was going to "hike up to the top of the mountain."

I think this may be a huge clue from your link. This guy was playing mind games with his wife: it was HER fault, all of it.
-------‐-----------
"Smith also sent multiple text messages to his wife, who asked if the children were safe. At 5:18 p.m., Smith replied, "Yes, [The 4-year-old] is exhausted. We're almost to the very top, but everyone is starting to fail and it's starting to rain. I'm getting tired of carrying [2-year-old]. It's tough with three children and no second parent."

"Smith was found accused of trespassing at Primary Children's Hospital and interfering with his 4-year-old son's medical care and tampering with equipment.
...

Following the hospital incident, Smith was arrested for domestic violence, although information about what occurred to cause that action has not been released."

IMO, this guy really fits the domestic violence type offender, like the guys who end up as either family annihilators or one step before that, killing the kids to get back the feeling of control over partner.

Just yesterday, this article caught my eye (focuses on partner-killings tho): www.bbc.com/news/uk-49481998

 

[rosesfromangels]

It’s a miracle the children survived. I would be very concerned about the father’s mental stability, and further access to the children.

Amateur opinion and speculation only

 

[NuttMegg]

It’s a miracle the children survived. I would be very concerned about the father’s mental stability, and further access to the children.

Amateur opinion and speculation only

Every time I read what he did to these kids, I am more astounded. Five hours of hiking by presumably fit mountain rescue ppl to reach where the kids were freezing to death, being given cpr by their sister!! No sign of life in the 4 yr old, who was placed or what, crawled on top of the 2 year old?

I seriously doubt the mother even knew of his plan. They probably left the house in flip flops thus he bought them shoes and socks that morning. Those other texts between them will show, imo, her shock at learning where they were. Unless those poor kids drew the short straw with 2 deranged parents.

Any lawyer will have him claim a mental defense, imo. They are insanely lucky these kids lived through it.