LOGAN — A Logan couple has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of their infant child. Zachary Michael Woirhaye, 38, and Jodi Lee Anderson, 34, were booked into the Cache County Jail Thursday after officers reported their one-month old baby died of malnutrition.
Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said their investigation began December 31, when officers were called to a hotel room. The 46-day-old infant boy was found lying on a bed, unresponsive, not breathing and with no heartbeat.
“Life saving measures were applied by police and paramedics,” explained Jensen. “EMS took the baby to the hospital and was ultimately transferred to Primary Children’s Medical Center, where doctors were able to establish that the baby had no brain activity. The family later decided to remove the boy off life support and he passed away.”
According to an arrest affidavit, the baby died January 12, 2022. The family had been residing at the hotel during the last several weeks of December.
Officers responded to Logan Regional Hospital shortly after the paramedics transported the boy. They alleged the baby “appeared extremely sick and frail,” the report detailed. Medical staff said the boy was unhealthy, and showed signs of malnourishment and neglect.
Police later interviewed extended family members, who expressed concerns about both Zachary and Jodi’s mental capacity. They claimed the suspects had to be continually reminded about feeding the baby enough baby formula.
The Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the baby died of malnutrition. They noted that when boy was born, he weighed 7.7 pounds. When he died, he was 6.8 pounds.
Jensen said Thursday’s arrest of Zachary and Jodi came after a lengthy investigation during the past six months.
“So after a heavy investigation on all fronts, witness statements, interviews with the medical examiner’s office and medical professionals, the county attorney has chosen to charge both mother and father with aggravated murder.”
Court records show, Zachary Woirhaye and Jodi Anderson were charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense, on Thursday in 1st District Court. Jodi was also charged with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
will@cvradio.com