The Heber City Police Department is investigating Wasatch County Republican Party Chair David Johnson for alleged aggravated child abuse, according to Chief Parker Sever.  Johnson, a resident of Heber City, had not been formally charged in Wasatch County’s Fourth District Court as of Tuesday afternoon. An aggravated child abuse charge in Utah is applied under circumstances where serious injury is inflicted upon a person under the age of 18. It is a first-degree felony charge if the abuse was done “intentionally or knowingly” and a third-degree felony if “done recklessly,” according to state code. The Police Department’s investigation started about two weeks ago after it received a report from the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, which was notified of alleged abuse by Johnson’s biological child. The teenager disclosed multiple incidents of abuse, including situations with Johnson’s other children, according to the Police Department. Wasatch County Republican Party Vice Chair Patty Sprunt said she is aware of the situation and that there will be no call for Johnson’s resignation. That would only occur if Johnson is convicted of a felony charge.  “This, unfortunately, is one of those things where people immediately go on a witch hunt without proof of anything,” said Sprunt. She added that she has observed a “healthy relationship” between Johnson and his children. “Let’s just say that the behavioral changes have come from the teenager.” Sprunt said she would urge Wasatch County residents to wait for proof before reacting.  “I think that they have to wait until they get all of the details because false accusations have become a thing, they really have, and we tend to want to prove someone guilty until they’re innocent, instead of the other way around,” Sprunt said.  Sever said the investigation is active and ongoing. The Police Department will continue to work with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services on the case. The post Wasatch County Republican Party Chair David Johnson is under investigation for alleged child abuse appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less