Murder Charge Filed Against Zachary Jarred Walton After Infant he was Babysitting Dies

Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced murder and aggravated child abuse charges filed against Zachary Jarred Walton for his alleged involvement in the death of an infant, S.S. 

On August 25, 2024, the defendant, a family friend, was caring for S.S. at the Road Home Shelter in Midvale, where they both lived, while the infant's mother was at work. S.S.’s mom told police the defendant had cared for the baby on several occasions.  The defendant told police that on August 25th, S.S. slept most the day, but she was awake and crying in the evening. The defendant decided to take the infant to the roof to calm her down, but he told police that when he got into the elevator, he hit her head against the elevator twice, using significant force. Video surveillance shows when the defendant got off the elevator at the roof, the infant’s head went limp, and he tried blowing in her face for around 17 minutes, as if he was trying to wake her up, before he took her down to the lobby, where she started to get medical attention and was eventually transported to the hospital. 

At Primary Children’s Hospital an exam of S.S. shows she had skull fractures, intracranial hemorrage, and both acute and healing rib fractures. The healing rib fractures were from approximately two to three weeks before, indicating the baby had been maltreated on more than one occasion. When the defendant was asked about the broken ribs, he said he had squeezed the baby hard because he was excited to see her and forced air out of her lungs., but he didn’t hear a crack. A babysitting log at the shelter showed that Walton had been taking care of S.S. and her siblings on and off for around three weeks. 

S.S. was taken off life support and died this morning. 

The defendant has been charged with one count of first-degree felony murder and two counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. 

“If you are struggling to give the proper care for children that you are responsible for, please ask for help. This infant death is a tragedy that could have been avoided. We are committed to seeking justice and accountability for this young child and her family,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “We appreciate the tireless work of Unified Police Detectives that helped put this case together and lead to these charges.  All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”