In a troubling development from Salt Lake City, a father has been formally charged with child torture following the disappearance of his three children in Utah’s Wasatch mountains. Micah Smith, 31, now faces serious allegations, including three counts of child torture and three counts of aggravated child abuse, all classified as first-degree felonies.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “This case centers on the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted. His actions were depraved, resulting in significant emotional damage to the children.” Gill emphasized that the charges were carefully considered, saying, “Given the circumstances and how the events unfolded, we believe the charges reflect a thorough analysis by our screening team.”

The distressing incident began on October 11, 2025, when Smith embarked on a hike in the Broads Fork Trail area with his young children—a 2-year-old son, a 4-year-old son, and an 8-year-old daughter. The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been deeply involved in the investigation since the children went missing.

“Given the context and how it unfolded … we believe that [the charges] adequately reflect the analysis by the screening team,” Gill added.

Hikers go missing

On Oct. 11, 2025, Smith, along with his 2-year-old son, 4-year-old son, and 8-year-old daughter, set off for a hike in the Broads Fork Trail area, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The group was later reported missing, leading officials to dispatch Search and Rescue teams to the area, along with the Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau, and LifeFlight.

Crews were able to locate the missing hikers the following morning. All three children, along with Smith, were transported to local hospitals. Smith was reportedly in fair condition, while two children were in critical condition and one was reported as being stable.

Police said SAR crews found the 8-year-old alongside a boulder with “a few sticks stacked against it.” The 2-year-old was found underneath his 4-year-old brother, who was “mostly exposed, unconscious, and ‘appeared lifeless.’”

Trying to stay warm

Police said Smith reported leaving their home around 9 a.m. to go on the hike and reaching the summit around 6 p.m., at which point the weather “turned into mist, fog, rain, and hail.” He allegedly told officers that by 8 p.m., they had made it about 600 feet down before he decided they should find shelter.

Smith allegedly admitted he was unfamiliar with the trail.

According to charging documents, Smith told police that his 2-year-old son fell and hit his head and appeared “dazed.”

He also reported finding a large rock that they could use for shelter and gathering logs, sticks, and rocks to make a “windscreen.” Smith said he then “tried to use his body, head… to keep the children warm.”

At about this time, documents show that the 2-year-old may have gone unconscious and stopped breathing. Smith told police he performed CPR until he was “breathing on his own.”

According to police, Smith explained that he showed his 8-year-old daughter how to perform CPR after the 4-year-old began having difficulty breathing. He then allegedly left the children and went down the mountain.

Deputies said Smith reported sending photos to his wife earlier during the hike, who suggested they start hiking down the mountain.

He also told police he was “comfortable hiking in the dark without light,” even though his kids said they were scared.

‘Worried about not living’

Reports indicate the 4-year-old boy had no pulse when deputies arrived. After approximately 25 minutes of CPR, crews arrived at the hospital. At this point, the child reportedly had a heart rhythm return, although it was very slow, police said.

Documents show the child’s body temperature upon arrival at the hospital was 62.6 degrees. While at the hospital, the child reportedly suffered a stroke, which required a portion of his skull to be removed and a drain to be placed.

The 8-year-old child told officials that on the day of the hike, Smith told her, “It was going to be a 9-mile hike and a 9-hour hike.” She later said they “climbed about two miles from the top,” at which point clouds started to appear. The child reported suggesting to her father that they should go, but he responded by saying, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

The child later said the storm came in quickly, bringing snow, hail and rain. She told police she was “worried about not living,” and tried to keep her 4-year-old brother warm.

SAR crews reported the hike took over five hours and entailed an elevation gain of over 3,100 feet. The trail was also found to be hazardous, with unstable rocks and boulders.

Deputies involved in the rescue stated that only two felt confident in their ability to reach the location where the children were found. Multiple deputies had injuries, including “bloody arms, bloody knuckles, and puncture wounds,” and they even experienced a rockslide.

A search of Smith’s phone revealed images and videos during the hike. In one video, police said the 8-year-old can be heard saying, “Are we going to freeze to death, daddy?” Smith reportedly responded by saying they were “almost to the top.”

Images captured of the hike show the children attempting to scale the sides of a cliff while struggling.

Family recovering after rescue

The Smith family issued the following statement regarding the tragic event.

“The family is grieving and asks for privacy and sensitivity during this profoundly difficult time. We appreciate the outpouring of concern from the community. Our hearts are broken by what has happened, and our focus now is on ensuring that Micah, Samantha, and their children receive the support and love they need to heal. The kids are continuing to recover, and your deepest prayers are appreciated.”

According to a GoFundMe, the children are still recovering. One child, who spent over a week on a heart and lung bypass machine, has been taken off sedation and is now speaking in full sentences, the family said in a Nov. 10 update.

“Micah is the sole provider for his family,” reads a GoFundMe page organized to raise money for the family’s medical expenses. According to the webpage, Smith suffered serious injuries of his own during the incident.

Smith faced other charges

Police say that approximately one month before the incident, Smith allegedly expressed intentions to self-harm, and reported to an officer he was going to “hike up to the top of the mountain.” He was found with an axe and two firearms in his vehicle but denied he was going to use them.

On Nov. 10, Smith was trespassed from Primary Children’s Hospital for allegedly interfering with the 4-year-old’s care and “tampering with the equipment.”

Smith is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail.

Ava Hart and Ryan Bittan contributed to this reporting.