Salt Lake City, UT – A father is accused of endangering the lives of his three children during a treacherous hike in the Wasatch Mountain Range last week. Micah Smith, 31, faces six felony counts related to child torture and aggravated child abuse, which could lead to a significant prison sentence. His defense attorney seeks to limit media exposure related to the case, arguing that it could negatively impact the children.
Defense attorney Kayla Mahoney filed a motion in Salt Lake County court requesting that cameras be banned from the courtroom. The motion states that images of their father in handcuffs may harm the minors emotionally.
The argument posits that any exposure to courtroom images is unnecessary for the children. The motion highlights a “reasonable likelihood” that media coverage may adversely affect their well-being.
The hiking incident occurred in early October at Big Cottonwood Canyon. There, Smith took his children, ages 2, 4, and 8, on the Broads Fork Trail, which is rated “hard.”
As conditions deteriorated, Smith allegedly ignored pleas from his children and their mother to turn back. The charging documents recount multiple instances where the children expressed discomfort and requested to leave.
Failing to heed his daughter’s concerns as the storm approached, Smith stated it was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. When conditions worsened, he left the children alone early in the morning to seek help.
The family was rescued by a search and rescue team utilizing a helicopter. Investigators discovered evidence on Smith’s phone showing his wife’s repeated inquiries about the children’s safety.
Moreover, a video showed his daughter worrying about freezing to death. The prosecution has yet to respond to the defense’s motion regarding courtroom cameras.
