Angela Mittlestadt Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse As Part Of Plea Agreement

Angela Mittlestadt pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of aggravated child abuse as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

In return for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop a conspiracy charge and to ask for a 15- to 17-year prison sentence on the child abuse charge. The aggravated child abuse charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison, and the conspiracy charge could have doubled that penalty had she been convicted on both charges.

Judge Delays Sentencing For Now

Judge Peter Froehlicher held back on sentencing Mittlestadt pending a pre-sentence investigation. He scheduled her sentencing hearing for December 14th, but noted it may not actually happen on that date. For now, she remains free on bond.

Under Wyoming law, Judge Froehlicher is not obligated to follow the sentencing agreement between prosecutors and Mittlestadt's attorneys.

As part of the hearing, Mittlestadt admitted to depriving E.M., the adopted stepson of her and Darrick Mittlestadt, of sufficient food to the point of causing the boy serious injury. Angela Mittlestadt visibly wept throughout the hearing.

The Mittlestadts were charged in connection with the 13-year-old boy the couple adopted in Colorado in 2018. According to court papers, the boy, identified as EM, was allegedly restricted to one meal a day. When he was taken to Children's Hospital in Colorado on June 24, 2025, he allegedly weighed only 55 pounds and had no detectable levels of Vitamin D.

Darrick Mittelstadt Trial Slated For Tuesday

The trial of Darrick Mittlestadt is slated to start on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Assistant Laramie County District Attorney Jack Hatfield told Judge Froehlicher that both the defense and the prosecution are expected to call Angela Mittlestadt to testify during his trial.

Darrick Mittlestadt still faces both aggravated child abuse and conspiracy charges. If convicted on both and sentenced to the maximum, he could face up to 50 years in prison.

Darrick Mittelstadt is the former Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire District#1.