Mittlestadt Aggravated Child Abuse Trial Continued Until July 20

A trial of a Laramie County Fire official and his wife on aggravated child abuse and conspiracy charges has been moved back again, this time to July 20.

That's according to the Laramie County Clerk of District Court office.

Darrick and Angels Mittelstadt are facing charges of felony aggravated child abuse and conspiracy. The Mittlestadts are charged in connection with the alleged abuse of a 13-year-old boy who they adopted in 2019 while living in Colorado.

According to court papers in the case, 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

Under Wyoming law, aggravated child abuse can carry a penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Conspiracy carries a potential sentence of the crime being conspired to commit, so that could mean an additional 25-year maximum sentence for each of them. Each count could also carry a $10,000 fine.

Darrick Mittlestadt was the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire District #1. It's unclear whether he still holds that position. As of Friday, April 24 the district website doesn't mention him. Under ''Leadership" it lists ''Interim Assistant Chief Ben Hopkins."

As of March 19, Mittlestadt was still officially the Chief but was on leave at that time.

Trial Has Been Rescheduled Several Times

The Mittelstadt's trial has been moved back repeatedly. At one point it was slated for November of last year, then January of 2026. it was then listed as scheduled for a March trial date. then it had been slated for April 27, this coming Monday.

A person answering the phone today [April 24] said she didn't have information on why it was rescheduled for July 20.