- Zachary Walton, 30, sentenced to prison for murder in the death of a 4-month-old girl in Salt Lake City.
- He admitted to hitting the baby's head in an elevator out of frustration while babysitting the child.
- Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill urged struggling caregivers to seek help.
SALT LAKE CITY — A man was sent to prison Monday for the death of a 4-month-old infant he was babysitting after after investigators say he smashed her head into an elevator corner.
Zachary Walton, 30, pleaded guilty in December to murder, a first-degree felony, as part of a plea deal. In exchange, two counts of intentional or knowing child abuse, a second-degree felony, were dismissed. Charging documents said he told officers "his frustration was an eight out of 10."
Walton was sentenced to a term of 15 years to life in prison.
Walton was caring for the 4-month-old girl at the Road Home Shelter in Midvale, where he and the girl's mother lived, while her mother worked as a DoorDash driver. The girl's mom told police he had cared for the girl on several other occasions.
A statement written by the girl's mother, who said she is seeking justice for her daughter, was read by a representative of Utah Homicide Survivors during Walton's sentencing hearing.
She said her daughter was intelligent, beautiful and had an infectious smile. The mother said she will show up and speak for her daughter for the rest of her life.
Walton reported the girl slept most of the day on Sept. 25, 2024, but was awake and crying in the evening. He reported he had planned to take her to the roof to calm her down, and when he got into the elevator he hit her head twice on the elevator, according to a statement from the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
Walton blew in the girl's face for about 17 minutes, like he was trying to wake her up, before taking her to the lobby to get medical attention, prosecutors say. The girl was put on life support and died after being taken off it about two weeks later.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill expressed hope that the sentence willd help the child's family feel they have received some justice.
"This infant's death is a tragedy that could have been avoided. If you are responsible for a child and are struggling, please reach out for help," he said.
