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In a troubling turn of events from Utah, a Republican Party chairman in Wasatch County found himself in legal hot water after allegations surfaced regarding the abuse of his teenage daughter. On Wednesday, 54-year-old David Nephi Johnson was apprehended and charged with aggravated child abuse. The charges stem from a disturbing incident where Johnson reportedly forced his daughter’s head into a sink filled with water, all because she failed to clean her room to his satisfaction before heading out with friends.
The serious nature of the allegations came to light following a report to the Division of Child and Family Services on January 21. According to the police report, the teenage girl confided in the authorities, revealing her feelings of insecurity and fear within her own home. As reported by KSL, the girl expressed a deep-seated fear for her life, prompting intervention from child welfare officials.
Details from the affidavit paint a harrowing picture, as the victim recounted the punishment meted out by her father. She explained to child advocates how Johnson had seized her by the neck, dragged her to the bathroom, and subjected her to repeated dunking in the sink, interspersed with splashes of water on her face. This alleged ordeal left her feeling terrorized and unsafe.
Moreover, the girl’s testimony highlighted a pattern of abusive behavior within the household, extending to her siblings. She recounted a particularly distressing episode involving her younger brother, who was reportedly subjected to similar treatment. Johnson allegedly forced the boy’s head under water, splashed him, and pushed him down repeatedly, according to the affidavit.
“The victim stated that David removed her brother from the water, splashed water on his face and nose, knocked him down and repeated the act multiple times,” the affidavit says.
“I don’t feel very safe,” the girl told investigators, according to KUTV. “When I go to bed, I feel like I can’t sleep because I don’t feel safe. When my dad’s not home, I feel fine. But when he’s home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.”
Johnson is the Wasatch County Republican Party chairman, KSL reported.
“The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community, the party’s executive committee said in a statement. “We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations brought forward by the Heber City Police Department. The Wasatch County GOP Executive Committee met in an emergency session. In accordance with our bylaws, Vice Chair Patty Sprunt will temporarily assume leadership to ensure the party continues its work for the residents of the county without interruption.”
The committee said no evidence had been presented so far and that the “community should refrain from judgement.”
Johnson was arrested on Tuesday and booked into the Wasatch County jail.