Lehi man arrested for allegedly choking child while on probation for child abuse

SALT LAKE CITY — Police have arrested a Lehi man accused of choking a child at a church building over the weekend.

Nathan Jack Speaker, 42, was booked into jail Tuesday night on suspicion of felony aggravated child abuse and witness tampering. The incident reportedly happened at a church building on Saturday, March 8.

According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by KSL, Speaker was one of the last people in the building after a volleyball tournament. He was accompanied by his four children, another child, and an adult witness.

Investigators said the kids were playing with the ball when Speaker got upset after the boy, “Stepped in front of (Speaker) and hit the ball away from him,” the document stated.

Speaker allegedly grabbed the boy by the throat and lifted him, “completely off the ground,” causing the victim to struggle for breath. 

Additionally, the affidavit stated that Speaker threw the boy across the room, resulting in a collision with one of Speaker’s own children, where their heads struck each other.

According to police, the adult witness didn’t see the actual incident, but heard the victim crying and holding his throat right after it happened.

The adult had to step in between Speaker and the boy as Speaker, “began to reapproach the juvenile victim,” the affidavit stated. 

Speaker reportedly left a handwritten apology for the victim and his family later that night. He also sent a message to the victim’s mother pleading for her, “not to report the incident to the police,” according to the affidavit.

Police stated that the victim’s mother is currently out of the country, and the boy is staying with his father, who lives next door to Speaker.

According to police, Speaker was informed he would be taken into custody but evaded arrest by leaving his home and staying at an unknown location. He was eventually booked into jail nearly four days after the incident.

Criminal history, abuse and choking 

This isn’t the first time Speaker has been accused of child abuse.

Court records obtained by KSL show that Speaker was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse in September 2024 for allegedly choking one of his own children.

Prosecutors said the incident took place after Speaker’s 14-year-old daughter was told to clean her room before going to a birthday party. However, Speaker, ” didn’t think she had done a good enough job,” according to the document. 

When she got home, prosecutors claim Speaker grabbed her face and threw her into a wall.

The document further read that Speaker eventually, “adjusted his grip so one or both hands were around (her) throat and squeezed hard enough that (she) couldn’t breathe.” 

Prosecutors also said Speaker told his daughter at the time of the incident that, “this wasn’t child abuse” as he was just “putting her in her place.” Speaker pled guilty to misdemeanor child abuse for that case in October.

According to police, Speaker was still on probation when Saturday’s incident occurred.

Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.  

Related reading: Utah man charged with abusing teen in 2006 as her church leader

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