According to various accounts, a guy from Utah was taken into custody following allegations that he smashed a baby’s head inside an elevator while her mother was at work.
The 28-year-old Zachary Walton was apprehended on Sunday, Aug. 25, following an investigation at the Midvale Road Home, a local shelter in Utah, according to outlets such as Fox affiliate KSTU, ABC affiliate KTVX, and NBC affiliate KSL-TV.
A 4-month-old baby was found unresponsive and not breathing before 8 p.m. local time, prompting the Unified Police Department to be dispatched to the scene. The authorities reportedly started cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures and arranged for the child to be taken to a nearby hospital after that (KTVX).
According to a booking affidavit cited by KSL on Thursday, Aug. 29, the child’s condition is critical, and there is “an extremely high chance that the 4-month-old victim will die.” Their report also stated that she “has not improved and her brain activity is very flattened.”
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The youngster allegedly lives with her mother at the shelter, and on August 25, Walton allegedly observed her while her mom worked a DoorDash shift, according to KSL. The publication cited the affidavit in reporting that Walton went from “very frustrated” to “probably an 8 on a 10 scale” due to the infant’s “would not stop crying” throughout that period.
After that, Walton allegedly brought the baby to the roof to “destress” and vape. However, according to KSTU, who cited the arrest warrant, Walton “smashed” the baby’s head “into the metal corner of the elevator where the elevator curves to the sliding doors.” In addition to referencing the police records, KSL states that he reportedly did it twice with “significant force.”
According to KSL’s reporting based on the police affidavit, the child’s respiration had ceased and her heart had stopped beating when Walton took her to the roof. According to the police, surveillance footage showed the man “carrying the 4-month-old limp victim around the roof for approximately 17 minutes while trying to blow into her face.” According to KSTU, Walton contacted the girl’s mother after receiving advice from a roommate to dial 911.
The infant reportedly sustained two skull fractures and a “significant” brain bleed, as reported by the Unified Police Department (KSL).
On Saturday, August 31, PEOPLE requested additional information from the agency, but they did not react right away.
The Salt Lake County Jail was the site of Walton’s booking, and according to KTVX, he is facing one count of attempted murder in the second degree and two counts of intentional aggravated child abuse in the second degree.
According to the inmate database of the Salt Lake County Jail, he was booked on August 25th and faces accusations of “aggravated child abuse — intentionally or knowingly” and “murder” as of August 31st.
It is unclear at this time whether Walton has retained legal counsel who can speak on his behalf.
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