A Utah mother is maintaining a constant vigil at the hospital bedsides of her three young children, who were rescued from a treacherous mountain hike that has led to their father being charged with six felony counts.
A Mother's Vigil and a Father's Arrest
Samantha Smith, 29, has been staying near the hospital in Salt Lake City since the October 11th incident, where her children, aged two, four, and eight, were plucked from Big Cottonwood Canyon suffering from severe hypothermia. Her estranged husband, Micah Smith, 31, was arrested last week and charged with child torture and aggravated child abuse. He was denied bond on Tuesday and remains in custody, with a fresh bond hearing scheduled for Monday.
Charging documents reveal the children endured a night outside in near-freezing temperatures. The youngest two were found unconscious, with four-year-old Ezra requiring 25 minutes of CPR after being discovered 'lifeless'. The boy later suffered a stroke, forcing doctors at Primary Children's Hospital of Utah to remove part of his skull to save his life.
A Hike That Turned Into a 'Nightmare'
According to authorities, Smith took his children on an ill-prepared nine-mile hike up the Broads Fork Trail in the Wasatch Mountains. Prosecutors described his actions as 'extremely selfish', noting he carried minimal supplies: several cans of tuna, five water bottles, and some pretzels. He admitted to not checking trail reports or the weather.
Despite the children becoming exhausted and eight-year-old Ember begging to leave, Smith pressed on to the summit. A storm then rolled in, drenching the youngsters in freezing rain, snow, and hail. During the ordeal, Smith was engaged in a text argument with Samantha, who pleaded with him to bring the children down.
The family was found by Search and Rescue 24 hours after setting out. Rescuers described Smith as looking 'unconcerned' about his children's welfare. In stark contrast, Samantha's devotion has been unwavering, while Smith was reportedly ejected from the hospital on November 10th for interfering with his son's treatment and tampering with medical equipment.
Family Conflict and Mounting Charges
The couple's relationship had broken down prior to the hike. In mid-November, police were called to the Airbnb where Samantha was staying after Smith allegedly threatened her with a hatchet and challenged her new boyfriend to a fight. This resulted in two additional charges for Smith.
Smith's family have defended him, with his brother Jedediah stating, '100 percent, he loves his kids, and he was not trying to hurt them.' He implied the incident's context was linked to the marriage breakdown. However, Salt Lake City District Attorney Sim Gill characterised Smith's behaviour on the mountain as a selfish choice that endangered his children's lives.
The children continue their recovery, with their mother remaining close by in a blue-painted rental property, hoping for their full recuperation from an ordeal that has left a family shattered and a father facing serious prison time.
