‘Frustrated’ babysitter arrested, accused of attempted murder of 4-month-old girl
Aug 29, 2024, 6:00 PM
A man watching a 4-month-old girl while her mother worked has been arrested for investigation of attempted murder and police say the baby may not survive. (CC7, Shutterstock)
(CC7, Shutterstock)
MIDVALE — A 4-month-old girl is hospitalized in extremely critical condition and may not survive after police say her head was intentionally smashed into the corner of a metal door by a babysitter frustrated with her crying.
“There is an extremely high chance that the 4-month-old victim will die,” Unified police wrote in the babysitter’s booking affidavit. “The victim has not improved and her brain activity is very flattened. Safe and Healthy Family doctors stated they are considering brain death testing within the next day or two.”
Zachary Walton, 28, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse.
The incident happened Wednesday night at the Road Home shelter in Midvale, 529 W. 7300 South, where the girl lives with her mother. That night, the mother was working a DoorDash shift while Walton, a family friend, babysat. Police say Walton began watching the girl at 11 a.m.
“Zachary stated around 6 p.m. that night he had become very frustrated… Said his frustration was probably an 8 on a 10 scale,” according to the affidavit. “Zachary stated the victim would not stop crying and he was already frustrated.”
Walton told police that he decided to take the girl to the roof of the building to try and relieve stress.
Read the full story from KSL.com here.
