A Utah father is facing severe criminal charges after authorities say he put his three young children in extreme danger during a difficult mountain hike.
What began as a supposed family outing reportedly turned into a terrifying ordeal where the children struggled to stay alive, questioned whether they would “freeze to death,” and required emergency rescue.
Officials now accuse the father of prioritizing his personal goals over his children’s safety, leading to life-threatening consequences.
Father Accused of Turning a Family Hike Into a Life-Threatening Situation
Initial Incident
Authorities allege that 31-year-old Micah Smith forced his 2-, 4-, and 8-year-old children to join him on an extremely challenging hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon on October 11. Prosecutors claim he ignored clear safety concerns and pushed forward despite worsening conditions and the children’s physical exhaustion.
According to the indictment, an outing that appeared innocent quickly became dangerous once Smith insisted on reaching the summit, disregarding the children’s wellbeing. His daughter later said she remembered being told the Broads Fork Trail could take nine miles or nine hours—she wasn’t sure which.
Trail Difficulty Ignored
The Broads Fork Trail is known to be a strenuous route, stretching five miles round-trip with a steep 2,100-foot elevation gain. Online guides classify it as difficult and unsuitable for very young hikers. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill emphasized that this was “not an easy hike that you would take a child upon.”
Search and Rescue Efforts
Family Reported Missing
Friends and family contacted authorities when Smith and the children failed to return. Rescue teams eventually discovered them about 600 feet below the summit, sheltering under a crude structure made from a boulder and sticks to block the wind.
Children Found Unconscious
Officials reported that Smith’s 4-year-old son was lying on top of the 2-year-old, both unresponsive and not breathing. Smith told rescuers he had performed CPR on the two younger children after they lost consciousness.
Both toddlers were wearing minimal clothing in freezing temperatures, increasing their risk of hypothermia.
Distressing Moments Caught on Video
During their climb, Smith recorded video footage as storm clouds rolled in. In one clip, his daughter anxiously asked, “Are we going to freeze to death, daddy?”
Despite worsening weather, Smith reportedly refused to turn around. His daughter said she tried to warn him they needed to head back, but he shut her down, saying it was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing.” When she attempted to go back down the mountain, he allegedly told her, “You shall not pass.”
Messages Reveal Father Ignored Safety Warnings
Texts Sent to His Wife
Investigators found that Smith had been texting his wife as conditions deteriorated. At around 5:18 p.m., he wrote that the 4-year-old was “exhausted” and that everyone was “starting to fail.” He also admitted he was struggling to carry the 2-year-old and that rain had begun.
Teaching CPR to His Daughter
At one point, Smith reportedly taught his 8-year-old daughter how to perform CPR before leaving the children behind and heading down the mountain alone in search of help.
Medical Emergency and Hospitalization
Rescue teams escorted the family down the mountain and spent 25 minutes performing CPR on the 4-year-old child. All four were hospitalized afterward.
Smith was admitted in mild condition, and his daughter was listed as stable. The 2- and 4-year-old children were in critical condition.
The 4-year-old had suffered a stroke so severe that doctors had to remove part of his skull. His body temperature upon arrival was only 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Father Taken Into Custody
Smith was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on November 25 and is being held without bond. Investigators noted past interactions with law enforcement, including an earlier incident where he was found with two guns and an axe while expressing suicidal thoughts. Although he claimed he did not intend to harm himself, officers recognized his unstable behavior.
In another incident on November 10, nearly a month after the mountain rescue, Smith was accused of trespassing at Primary Children’s Hospital and interfering with medical care for his 4-year-old son.
Prosecutors stated that Smith’s actions show a pattern of escalating and dangerous behavior, posing continuing risks to his children.
This case highlights a deeply troubling situation where a father allegedly placed his children in extreme danger during a hike they were physically unprepared for.
The combination of harsh weather, lack of proper clothing, and the strenuous nature of the trail ultimately led to life-threatening injuries for the two youngest children.
As investigators uncover more about Smith’s history and behavior, prosecutors argue that his actions demonstrate a significant threat to both himself and his children. The case now moves through the legal system as the community awaits justice for the young victims.
