Prosecutors say a late-season storm and a strenuous route left two children in critical condition after an overnight search.
SALT LAKE CITY — A South Jordan man rescued with his three young children after an overnight search in Big Cottonwood Canyon has been charged with three counts of first-degree felony child torture and three counts of first-degree felony aggravated child abuse, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Authorities say Micah Zephan Smith, 31, set out Oct. 11 on the Broads Fork Trail in the Wasatch Mountains with his children, ages 8, 4 and 2, as weather deteriorated and daylight faded. The family was reported missing later that day, prompting a large search. Crews located them the next morning in the canyon east of Salt Lake City. Prosecutors now allege Smith chose a dangerous route and pushed the children to continue despite cold, exhaustion and injuries, turning what first appeared to be a dramatic rescue into a criminal case with long-term medical consequences.
In charging documents, investigators describe a steep climb with roughly 2,000 feet of elevation gain on rocky terrain as temperatures dropped. Search crews said they found Smith and the children after a night in below-freezing conditions; two of the children were in critical condition and a third was seriously hurt. One child, a 4-year-old boy, suffered a stroke and required emergency skull surgery after arriving severely hypothermic. Another child’s core temperature was recorded in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Prosecutors wrote that the children repeatedly told their father they were cold and tired and that he pressed on anyway. A video cited by investigators captures the 8-year-old asking, “Are we going to freeze to death, daddy?” The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office alleged Smith’s decision-making was “selfish” and showed disregard for the children’s safety.
Rescuers said they found the group near a makeshift windbreak, with Smith exhibiting signs of frostbite. The route, known locally as Broads Fork, is considered strenuous and can be treacherous in early-season snow. First responders transported all four to area hospitals by helicopter and ambulance. According to hospital updates described in court filings, two children spent days in intensive care. Records also note Smith taught his daughter chest compressions and attempted CPR on his youngest son before leaving to seek help. The father’s condition improved after treatment for frostbite and exposure. Deputies who debriefed Smith after the rescue described him as distracted and at times unconcerned about his children’s condition, a characterization later repeated in the charging affidavit.
The case quickly drew widespread attention. In the days after the rescue, relatives praised Smith for shielding the children from wind and snow and launched a fundraising page to help with medical bills. That online appeal was later removed as investigators developed a timeline using interviews, phone videos and text messages gathered during the search. The charges filed this week mark a significant turn from the early public narrative. Prosecutors said weather warnings were posted that weekend and the trail’s length and exposure were unsuited for small children in a storm. The affidavit also references an earlier police call a month before the hike involving concerns for Smith’s mental state, though no charges were filed at that time.
Smith was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Tuesday and is being held without bail, according to court records. An initial appearance is expected in the coming days in 3rd District Court. Prosecutors said they may seek enhanced penalties based on the children’s ages and the severity of injuries. Defense counsel was not listed in online records by Wednesday afternoon. The district attorney’s office said additional witness interviews and a review of rescue team body-camera footage are ongoing. Authorities have not released updated conditions for two of the children, citing medical privacy laws. It remains unknown whether the family will pursue a civil claim related to the search and medical treatment.
At the canyon trailhead this week, hikers described the route as steep even in dry weather. “That’s a summer morning trail for adults in good shape,” said Jordan resident Alyssa Gomez, who hikes the area regularly. “Once the snow hits, it turns into winter mountaineering.” Rescue volunteers said crews faced slick rock, gusting winds and low visibility during the overnight operation. A parent from the children’s school left flowers near the trail map. “Everyone’s heart broke when we heard the kids were in the ICU,” said Mark Lewis, a neighbor. “We’re praying they heal, and we want answers about why this happened.”
As of Wednesday evening, Smith remained in jail while prosecutors prepared for a detention hearing. Investigators said they plan to release an evidence summary before the first court date, expected next week. The trail remains open, and county search and rescue officials said their post-incident review is still underway.
Author note: Last updated November 27, 2025.