Salt Lake County – The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into the case of a father and his three young children who went missing during a hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon last month. Micah Smith, 31, has been charged with three felony counts of child torture and three felony counts of aggravated child abuse. He is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail without bond.
On the morning of Saturday, October 11, 2025, Smith began a hike on the Broad Fork Trail with his three children, a 2-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl. The group was later reported missing, prompting a large-scale, multi-agency emergency response.
On Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, assisted by the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau and Life Flight, successfully located all four individuals. Each child and the father were transported to local hospitals for medical care.
Following the rescue, an extensive investigation by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office led to the filing of criminal charges.
“I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of all the first responders who never gave up during this incident,” said Sheriff Rosie Rivera. “From the teams who located the missing children and their father, to those who provided medical care and ongoing support for the children, and the investigators and attorneys who advanced the case. Each person showed professionalism and a strong commitment to this community.”
This case is now an active judicial proceeding, with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office leading the prosecuting.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to all partner agencies whose collaboration was essential to this case: Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau, Life Flight, all the medical teams, Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center dispatchers, and Department of Child and Family Services. The Sheriff’s Office also recognizes the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for its continued commitment to pursuing justice.
There will be no media availability related to this case.