Content warning: This article describes child abuse. Please take care while reading.
The former chairman of the Wasatch County Republican Party in Utah has been arrested and charged with a first-degree felony for aggravated child abuse after law enforcement says he “waterboarded” his daughter as a form of punishment for failing to clean her bedroom to his satisfaction.
According to police reports and booking affidavits, the Heber City Police Department began investigating the case after receiving a report from the Utah Division of Child and Family Services in late January. The 16-year-old girl told investigators she did not feel safe at home and feared for her life.
What did David Nephi Johnson do?
As has been widely reported, court and police documents allege that David Nephi Johnson, 54, grabbed his daughter by the neck and forced her into a bathroom sink filled with water, submerging and re-submerging her head, over the messy bedroom. The girl told investigators she couldn’t breathe for about 20 to 30 seconds during the incident.
According to legal documents cited by several outlets, Johnson allegedly “dunked her head under, brought it out, splashed water in her face, then dunked the victim’s head under again.” The teenager also reported visible bruises and related that Johnson struck her in the past.
In interviews, the daughter told detectives that similar treatment may have occurred with younger siblings, including an now-8-year-old brother, suggesting a pattern of alleged abuse within the household.
Following the report, the affected daughter was removed from the home and placed with an older sibling. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services put a safety plan in place for the younger children, stating that no physical discipline may be used while they remain under parental care.
Who is David Nephi Johnson?
Johnson has been a local political figure in Wasatch County, serving as the Republican Party chair, an unpaid leadership role responsible for organizing local GOP business, outreach, and executive committee functions. His legal troubles come at a time of heightened political polarization in the state.
The Wasatch County Republican Party Executive Committee quickly responded to the arrest. The committee described the allegations as “deeply concerning” and, in accordance with local bylaws, appointed the vice chair as acting party leader while the case proceeds. Their statement emphasized that “the safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community.”
Meanwhile, the Utah Democratic Party issued a statement stressing the importance of accountability for anyone in public trust if the allegations are proven true. They called for a thorough and fair investigation and made clear that partisan affiliation should not insulate anyone from consequences in a child abuse case.
No official statements from state Republican leadership beyond the county level have been reported as of this writing.
What happened to David Nephi Johnson?
Johnson was booked into the Wasatch County Jail on February 10, 2026, on charges of aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony in Utah. Johnson made an initial court appearance where a judge set bail at $10,000. He subsequently posted bail and was released on Wednesday, February 11. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 11, 2026, in Utah’s 4th District Court.
Published: Feb 13, 2026 04:31 pm