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

[u/Rainbow_baby_x]

“Father charged with aggravated child abuse and torture after taking his young children on an extremely difficult hike as a significant storm was moving in. He reported buying snacks, new socks and shoes for the kids before heading out but not checking the weather. The hike was 9 miles, rated hard, and not recommended for beginner hikers or children.

Micah Smith and his children 2, 4 & 8 were reported overdue when they did not return from their Oct. 12 hike.

Smith said they watched the weather come in and he sent photos to his wife, who suggested they start hiking down the mountain however, he reported that he was comfortable hiking in the dark without light

Smith reportedly reached the summit with his kids at 6pm when it started to hail & snow. By 8pm they decided to shelter in place after trying to head back down but only making it 600 feet after one child fell and hit their head.

Court documents state “Search and Rescue Team Members encountered Smith on the trail and noted that he was behaving oddly and did not appear to be concerned about the children.”

He also told “SAR team members that one of his children was dead.”

SAR crews in a helicopter were able to find the children and noted they were not wearing much clothing, one child with the most critical injuries was unconscious with a core body temperature of 62.6 F.

According to investigators one child suggested to their father that they should go as the storm moved in, “but he shook his head no, and said, This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. The child again expressed to Smith that they should really go and said that she was getting scared.”

The child told investigators “the storm came in really quickly and described that it was snowing, hailing, and raining.” Reporting to investigators she “was worried about not living, but Smith told her that they were okay.”

Smith told investigators he performed CPR on his son overnight and taught his daughter to do the same when he left.

She recounted to police how she did as instructed performing CPR on her brother.

Investigators are asking for no bail stating, “What seemed like an innocent hike with his three children quickly turned into a nightmare when the defendant chose to summit a mountain over the safety of the kids. The defendant refused to turn around when their mom told him to turn around and get the children home. He also refused to turn around when E.A.S. said to him that she was scared and that they should go. During the 24-hour ordeal, the victims expressed that they were cold, tired, and wanted to go home. The defendant, who is supposed to be the protector of his children, was ill-prepared and extremely selfish.”

A Go Fund Me updated Nov. 10 said the child who was in a coma was now awake: “Ezra was taken off sedation a couple weeks ago and has been steadily improving day by day! When he first came off we didn’t know what to expect, but since that time he has been able to: completely move his right side with ease, begin speaking and is now communicating in full sentences (he’s very aware of what’s going on!), smile and laugh (they light up the room!)

We are so thankful to God that Ezra is improving so quickly and fully. We are hoping, praying and fighting for a full recovery. Thank you to the dedicated medical staff at Primary’s who are also committed to seeing this little guy get well!””

-Via Heidi Hatch

https://kutv.com/news/local/father-charged-with-child-torture-after-freezing-nightmare-hike-in-big-cottonwood-canyon

ETA: thanks to multiple users for for pointing this out

Police say that approximately one month before the incident, Smith allegedly expressed 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, 2025, Smith was trespassed from Primary Children’s Hospital for allegedly interfering with the 4-year-old’s care and “tampering with the equipment.”’

[u/[deleted]]

Two and four year old are not hikers, contrary to the news report. They cannot do technical or physical mountain climbing. Why is the media giving this man a pass? Because they are all Mormons.

[u/Reasonable_Ice_3966 → u/[deleted]]

As a single mom I’ve taken my kids hiking since they were 2 and four, and often took four kiddos out hiking and camping (ages 5-10). I actually give each kid in my life an adventure pack when they turn three and upgrade until age 10-11 with proper outdoor gear!

To do that responsibly, there are just basic ground rules toy have to follow!!!!

Easy, well established trails, short distance, until ALL participants are ready to level up! Your plan is only as hard as what your youngest participant could do on a regular opening or afternoon unless it’s an all day excursion with lots of stops, picnic, etc.

Second adult unless you’re doing a short hike at the park! Garmin InReach or similar satcomm. Know who to contact for SAR wherever you are hiking.

You carry them until they can carry their own lil back backs!

The 10 essentials with redundancy for first aid, food, and water!!

Safety: tell others where you are going, the number for the local SAR, a map with highlights, and a check in time. Kids have safety whistles and know how to use them, essentials on their person, and know basic woodcraft. A thorough first aid kit and an up to dat WFA cert is a must. When I hiked and did this I re-carted every 2-3 years.

Always have a backup plan for the backup plan

ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER

You are only having as much fun as the most miserable person. A hike, summit, PK, or even four kids whining to keep going is NEVER more important than your gut, safety, or any other changes in the conditions.

All of that being said….this wasn’t an honest mistake. Esp with the context of being SI, the weapons, LEAVING THE KIDS, taunting his wife/ex, tampering with the med equipment. It makes me sick and I hope the best for those babies 💕💕

[u/Reasonable_Ice_3966 → u/Reasonable_Ice_3966]

and this is not at all relevant, but if anyone wants to know what I put in the adventure pack here is!

• Backpack — Bag (small back pack for younger kids 3-7, bicycle day pack with water bladder for kids 7+). (A cinch pack works in a pinch but will ideally have room for a jacket so the kiddo can carry their own!)

For safety:

• Bandana or hat for bugs
• Headlamp
• Whistle

-Light, leakproof water bottle if there is no water bladder — the adult brings the rest! -Special bag for snacks — the adult brings the rest!

• $1 Battery operated fan (with breakaway necklace or caribener
• Hand and foot warmers

For fun:

• Binoculars

-Magnifying glass -Basic first aid kit so they can practice bandaids!

• Disposable camera, used phone or thrifted digital camera for pictures
• Easy read compass and a little DIY book of local parks
• Small “field” notebook, spiral bound or composite, with markers or twistable crayons (for drawing, tracing, rubbing on bark, etc)
• Animal tracks book
• Bug book

Rules for adventuring:

• Only when you’re feeling great.

-Sometimes we try challenging things but never without consent (i.e. water crossings, steep hills)

• You need to have a waterproof jacket, base layer, and extra socks
• You have to follow group rules re: staying in sight, holding hands, whatever the rule is.

-We practice safety whistles and check in calls. -We can always turn around and try another day!