Angela Mittlestadt's change-of-plea hearing in Cheyenne

The former Laramie County Fire Chief charged with aggravated child abuse faces a Sept. 22 trial date, but his wife has a change-of-plea hearing scheduled, according to court documents.

Darrick and Angela Mittlestadt are charged with aggravated child abuse and conspiracy. Under Wyoming Law, aggravated child abuse carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison. A conspiracy conviction carries the same penalty as the more serious charge, so the potential sentences in the case could run as high as 50 years.

Background Of Case

Darrick Mittlestadt was Chief of Laramie County Fire District 1 when he and his wife were arrested in July of last year. The district website no longer mentions anyone as being fire chief, and his name does not appear under leadership. George Marcott is listed as "Interim Department Chief."

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.

Angela Mittlestadt's change-of-plea hearing is slated for Sept. 21. Under Wyoming law, the judge is not obligated to accept a plea agreement, so it's possible she could still face the original charges.