Darrick Mittelstadt Child Abuse Trial Slated For Tuesday, Sept. 22

The trial of the former Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire District#1 on aggravated child abuse and conspiracy charges is scheduled to get underway on Tuesday in Laramie County District Court.

Darrick Mittelstadt could face up to 50 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine if convicted on both charges and sentenced to the maximum penalties.

Angela Mittelstadt Expected To Testify

Darrick Mittelstadt's wife Angela was also charged in the case. On Monday, she changed her plea to guilty to aggravated child abuse as part of an agreement with prosecutors. In return, the conspiracy charge she originally faced in the case was dropped, and a sentence of 15-17 years in prison was recommended.

But Judge Peter Froelicher is not obligated to impose that sentence. He ordered a tentative sentencing date of December 14 for Angela Mittelstadt, following a pre-sentencing investigation.

During Angela Mittelstadt's change of plea hearing, Assistant Laramie County District Attorney Jack Hatfield said both prosecutors and Darrick Mittelstadt's defense team have indicated that they intend to call her as a witness during her husband's trial.

The Mittlestadts are charged in connection with a 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.

At her change-of-plea hearing on Monday, Angela Mittelstadt admitted to depriving the boy of sufficient nutrition to avoid serious bodily injury.