A West Valley woman is facing a first-degree felony charge of aggravated child abuse after prosecutors say a 10-year-old boy reported that his aunt repeatedly pinched, kicked, and hit him with household objects over a period of roughly two years. Charging documents filed this week in the 3rd District Court state that the boy, her nephew, was examined at a hospital, where staff documented scars and a bruise under his left armpit.
According to KSL, the child told a West Valley police detective that his aunt, identified as 47-year-old Felita Tahi, “pinches” him “everywhere” and “hits him with hangers and a belt on his back.” The affidavit also alleges that Tahi kicked the boy in the face and hip, and that she once tried to strike his face with a belt but instead struck his neck. KSL reports that investigators say the alleged abuse has occurred more than once and that the boy was seen at a hospital.
The charging documents quote the boy saying, “there is never a last time,” and indicate that the pattern of abuse “has been two years,” according to KSL. Prosecutors say those details contributed to the decision to file an aggravated child abuse charge, which in Utah is treated as a first-degree felony.
What the charge carries
Under state law, aggravated child abuse and child torture are first-degree felonies and, when the statute’s elements are met, can carry a minimum prison term of 10 years up to life, per the Utah Legislature. The statute treats prolonged or exceptionally cruel conduct as an aggravating factor that can increase potential penalties in court.
Resources and next steps
The case will move through Salt Lake County’s 3rd District Court, where future hearings will appear on the court calendar or through the prosecutor’s office. If you suspect child abuse, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services operates a 24/7 intake line at 1-855-323-DCFS (3237), and the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition runs the statewide LINKLine at 1-800-897-LINK (5465), according to Utah DCFS and UDVC…