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

[windshifter]

Smith asked Commissioner Todd Olsen if he could be released from jail, but prosecutor Clifford Ross said that was a “hard no,” arguing the defendant posed a “significant safety risk.” Olsen agreed.

“There is substantial evidence to support the charges in this case, Mr. Smith, and I do find by a clear and convincing standard that you would be a danger to the alleged victims if you were released today,” Olsen said"

Utah father accused of torturing children given 'hard no' to release from jail

The father, Micah Smith, 31, of South Jordan appeared virtually in 3rd District Court Tuesday morning where a protective order was issued.

ksltv.com

Thanks for posting this update!

Next hearing Monday, Dec 8.

 

[NuttMegg]

Thanks for posting this update!

Next hearing Monday, Dec 8.

It comes to mind...what if Chris Scholtes' judge would have recognized the risk, and shown some responsibilty.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1996656688397488427

 

[tlcya]

and there we have it. The couple were separated and that whole hike where his children almost DIED and his whiney text about how hard it is with only one parent was him "showing" his wife. Tried to threaten her with a hatchet, while their children were in hospital from his hike from hell incident.

Very Travis Becker ish IMO. This guy is a menace and sounds very narcissistic.

I am so glad his children are alive and he is behind bars and no longer able to be a threat to them.

 

[NuttMegg]

Those kids are SO lucky to be alive. Article makes it sound like ES is still in hospital? Not sure if this is same as Dotta's link.

"...drama erupted when Samantha returned to the modest four-bedroom property after spending the night with her new boyfriend.

Once there, she found Smith refusing to get out of the shower and her personal belongings dumped outside on the drive."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15353039/utah-dad-micah-smith-hatchet-child-torture-hike.html

 

[NuttMegg]

and there we have it. The couple were separated and that whole hike where his children almost DIED and his whiney text about how hard it is with only one parent was him "showing" his wife. Tried to threaten her with a hatchet, while their children were in hospital from his hike from hell incident.

Very Travis Becker ish IMO. This guy is a menace and sounds very narcissistic.

I am so glad his children are alive and he is behind bars and no longer able to be a threat to them.

Sounds like he was showing how manly he was to climb a mountain, maybe competing with her new boyfriend? I thought his words on that text were so strange, "I'm tired of carrying (2 year old). Not...i"m tired because I'm carrying (2 year old). But I'm tired OF carrying (2 year old). Just the way it's worded. Maybe just me, but the OF sounds like he's tired of the baby.

 

[NuttMegg]

Oops, there's more under all the ads...

"Enraged Smith then allegedly burst out of the bathroom and began yelling at his estranged wife before picking her up by her shoulders and throwing her on the couch.

Samantha told officers he then climbed on top of her, driving his weight into her stomach while gripping a hatchet ..."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15353039/utah-dad-micah-smith-hatchet-child-torture-hike.html

 

[NuttMegg]

"The boyfriend .........told police that the ordeal capped off a two-day nightmare that began when Smith showed up at his home the night before and pounded on the door for hours."

Same link as above

 

[NuttMegg]

Ok jmo, but that Sunday was just a routine day for him to have the kids. She had them dressed for a warm October day, flip flops or such. Yes I'm repeating part of a preceding post, but I feel this is what happened. He takes them to buy socks and shoes because he couldn't tell the wife what his plan for the kids was. And why they couldn't do it in flip flops. I am positive she had no idea of his thoughtless risky ,"I'll show you"

 

[Lucy6226]

Agreeing with others here, those children are very very lucky to be alive imo.

 

[Stunned]

Oops, there's more under all the ads...

"Enraged Smith then allegedly burst out of the bathroom and began yelling at his estranged wife before picking her up by her shoulders and throwing her on the couch.

Samantha told officers he then climbed on top of her, driving his weight into her stomach while gripping a hatchet ..."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15353039/utah-dad-micah-smith-hatchet-child-torture-hike.html

Did she know he was in the house when she entered?

 

[worm]

CoutyTV is on this crazy case now. Taking those kids without any weather protection and against their wishes is abuse.

 

[NuttMegg]

Did she know he was in the house when she entered?

I don't think it says. But IMO she did because the other guy appears to have been waiting out in a car, maybe to see that she made it OK (?)

 

[worm]

The CTV interviews with experts and the local hiking community are very telling. They all knew about the weather at that time and a lady hiker who sounded floored that kids that age were even on that trail.

 

[Maat99]

The CTV interviews with experts and the local hiking community are very telling. They all knew about the weather at that time and a lady hiker who sounded floored that kids that age were even on that trail.

I really think he planned to leave the kids to die as a way to punish their mother for daring to end her relationship with him. I don’t think those kids will ever be safe with him on the loose and obviously his wife isn’t safe either.