A father in Utah, once called a hero for keeping his three kids safe during a hiking trip, is now facing serious charges.
Micah Smith and his children got caught in bad weather while hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon. They were reported missing but were found the next day. Two of the children were in critical condition.
Initially, people praised Smith for his bravery. But now, he’s accused of child abuse and torture.
Officials say Smith put reaching the top of a mountain ahead of his children’s safety. They claim the kids were cold and wanted to go home, but Smith didn’t listen.
When rescuers found them, Smith seemed unconcerned about his children. His 4-year-old son was in very bad shape, with a dangerously low body temperature. The boy had to be rushed to the hospital where he needed CPR and later suffered a stroke.
Reports say Smith’s 8-year-old daughter told police that her father took them on a difficult hike, and she even had to perform CPR on her younger brother.
Authorities found a video on Smith’s phone where the 8-year-old asks if they were going to freeze to death. The hike they were on is known to be challenging and not suitable for kids.
Before the hike, Smith had an encounter with police where he mentioned having thoughts of suicide. The case is ongoing.
