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LAYTON -- The defense team for the man accused of killing 4-year-old Ethan Stacy and burying his body in the mountains is at least checking into a claim the suspect may have a multiple personality disorder.
At the same time, domestic violence counselors are questioning whether Stephanie Sloop was abused as well.
The question of mental illness
Nathan Sloop's attorney, Todd Utzinger, is urging patience in the case.
It's too early to know how claims of a multiple personality disorder might play into any defense, such as an insanity plea, according to attorney Todd Utzinger.
"The prosecutor in the case, Troy Rawlings, is trying to do his job carefully, and we also are trying to do our job carefully," Utzinger told KSL Newsradio on Tuesday.
Part of that job will be to check out claims that Sloop has a multiple personality disorder. Utzinger said he's obligated to check out the claims that, so far, he's only heard in media reports. He said it's too early to know how that might play into any defense, such as an insanity plea.
"It's not a common defense in Utah. The Utah law is very strict on those sorts of mental health issues," he said. "But regardless of what the law is, I need to at least investigate the allegations that have been made out there in the public."
Sloop and his wife, Stephanie, are accused of abusing Ethan over a number of days and not seeking medical help for the boy, who eventually died.
Utzinger won't comment on Sloop's demeanor in jail, except to say he's now off suicide watch and has been for several days.
Was Stephanie abused?
Meanwhile, domestic violence counselors are questioning whether there were any early warning signs that perhaps could have saved Ethan Stacy from his fate.
Utah Domestic Violence Council Executive Director Judy Kasten Bell says counselors, cops and others are only good at recognizing signs if they're somehow being reported.
"We have to look at what's before us to be able to make any determinations," Bell told KSL Newsradio Tuesday.
If Stephanie Sloop was abused by Nathan Sloop that could have served as a red flag.
"If the woman is a victim of abuse or violence by her partner, then the children are," said Kathy Franchek, UDVC council member and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah's School of Medicine.
"It's not an absolute," she continued, "but our impression is someone who is abusive to their partner is not going to have the same appropriate way to act with their children."
It's unclear if Nathan abused Stephanie. Divorce records show Sloop's first wife claimed he was abusive.
"Part of it is patterns of behavior, in terms of the offender," Bell said.
Risk factors for child abuse include the mother being a victim of intimate partner violence, the child requiring special health care, and even the child having a stepparent relationship. Franchek says the bond is simply not as strong with a stepparent.
Bell says a thorough custody evaluation is critical in cases where one parent suspects the other may put a child in an at-risk situation.
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Story compiled with contributions from Marc Giauque and Andrew Adams.
