Laramie County Fire District 1 Chief Darrick Mittlestadt and his wife, Angela Mittlestadt, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Laramie County District Court to felony aggravated child abuse and conspiracy charges involving their 13-year-old adopted son.
The charges, filed July 25, allege the couple intentionally starved their older adopted son, identified in court records as EM, and kept him socially isolated.
According to court documents, Angela Mittlestadt left EM at the Youth Development Center in Douglas on June 22, prompting staff to immediately contact police due to his physical condition.
EM told officers he was allowed only one meal a day, consisting of bread, ham, a bag of vegetables, and a Gatorade Zero. This reportedly caused severe malnourishment. He also said he was kept apart from his 5-year-old half-brother, identified as NM.
The Mittlestadts turned themselves in on July 28 and were booked into the Laramie County jail without incident.
They pleaded not guilty to both counts against them, each carrying a possible penalty of up to 25 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Their trial is scheduled to begin on November 24.
At Thursday’s arraignment, Laramie County Assistant District Attorney Jack Hatfield told Judge Peter Froelicher that the state objected to the couple being represented by the same attorney, citing potential conflicts of interest.
Hatfield said Darrick Mittlestadt made statements to law enforcement blaming his wife for the abuse.
“Pursuant to the rule, absent the court finding a good reason to believe that there’s no conflict of interest — which, I don’t see how the court can make that finding — the rule requires separate representation,” Hatfield said.
Judge Froelicher replied that Hatfield must file a written motion to pursue the issue. “It certainly sounds like a valid issue,” he said. “But I don’t know whether you’ve discussed it with (the Mittlestadts’ attorney), and sort of dropping it in the middle of a hearing — you’re making your record, but I’m not going to rule on it, and I’m not even going to ask (the Mittlestadts’ attorney) to respond.”
It was not confirmed during the arraignment whether Hatfield would file the motion.
The couple remains free on bail as the case proceeds.
