The Utah father accused of killing his wife, their five children, and his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself was investigated two years prior for child abuse, but local police and prosecutors decided not to criminally charge him, new records show.
Police records obtained by the Associated Press detail a police investigation into Michael Haight and the violent behavior he exhibited toward his family. Authorities said after the murder that they were aware of previous problems in the home, but they did not elaborate. Now, we know specifically what they meant.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DECLINES TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY FOR 2019 EL PASO WALMART SHOOTER
Macie Haight, the family’s eldest daughter, spoke with authorities in 2020, where she described several assaults, including one where she was choked by her father and “very afraid that he was going to keep her from breathing and kill her.” The Associated Press says the child abuse investigation came after a police call from a non-family member reporting possible child abuse.
At the time, criminal charges were deemed “not appropriate” by the investigating parties, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services and the Iron County District Attorney’s Office, and the case was closed, per KTVX News.
Chad Dotson, the district attorney, told the outlet that his office did not charge Michael Haight in 2020 because “there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.” But Dotson also said no interviews or police reports from the investigation were ever sent to his office for “formal screening of charges.”
Michael Haight allegedly killed his family and himself after learning his wife had filed for divorce. Police found the bodies after being called to their house in Enoch City, Utah, by relatives and friends who had not heard from the family.
The victims of the murder-suicide were Haight’s wife, Tausha Haight, 40, Tausha’s mother, Gail Earl, 78, and the five children (including Macie), ranging in age from 4 to 17.
The tragedy shocked the city of about 8,000 people. Police said last week that the investigation is ongoing.
