Mittelstadt: Wife ”Deceived, Misled, And Lied To Me” About Boy’s Care

Darrick Mittelstadt took the stand again on Thursday morning in his trial on charges of aggravated child abuse and conspiracy.

Mittelstadt is charged in connection with the starvation abuse of his adopted son, who is identified in court only as EM. According to court documents, Angela Mittlestadt dropped the boy off at the Youth Development Center in Douglas on June 22, 2025.

The boy testified in court that she simply dropped him at the facility, telling him to give a false name. She then drove away. Trying to follow the instructions, the boy initially identified himself to YDC personnel under a false name, John Diaz.

But EM, who was 13 years old, was in dire physical condition and was soon transferred to Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. A doctor from the hospital testified in court on Tuesday that EM had virtually no muscle mass and an appearance similar to a concentration camp inmate.

EM weighed only 54 pounds. The doctor said a typical weight for a 13-year-old boy would be between 80 and 100 pounds

Darrick Mittelstadt Denies Knowing EM's Condition

In his testimony on Thursday, Darrick Mittelstadt insisted he had no idea the boy was in such poor physical condition. He said if he had known, ''I would have driven him to Children's Hospital myself."

Throughout the trial, Darrick Mittelstadt repeatedly mentioned that EM had always been extremely skinny since being adopted by the Mittelstadts in 2019, describing the boy at one point as "wafer thin." Several photos entered into evidence by the defense team did show EM as an unusually skinny boy throughout his time with the Mittelstadts.

Mittelstadt reiterated earlier claims that he never really saw EM for the three or four months prior to Angela dropping off  EM at the YDC in Douglas. He says he was often away at work, and only saw the boy "as a blur" as he went the few feet, so he had no idea the boy was being starved to the point of wasting away. He maintained that his wife had taken control over day-to-day care of the boy and would insist he was OK when asked about him, adding statements such as "I've got this."

He also said he was busy with work, and often slept at the fire station to avoid constant fights with his wife.

Mittelstadt said of Angela that she "deceived, misled and lied to me" about how EM was being fed and cared for.

Prosecutors called Laramie County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Ryan Martinez, who testified about his conversation with Mittelstadt when he and another deputy went to the Mittelstadt home on June, 23, 2025, to remove EM's brother, NM, from the home due to concerns raised by EM's medical condition.

Body cam video of Martinez's interview with Mittelstadt was played in court. When Martinez asked if EM was being fed, Mittelstadt said he was getting three meals a day.

He said breakfast typically might consist of yogurt and a banana, while the boy might have applesauce, bread, and lunchmeat for lunch and perhaps bread and a couple of chicken pot pies for dinner.

Mittelstadt also said the boy had started tearing his hair out a couple of months prior.

On the video, Angela Mittelstadt can be heard in the background, sobbing hysterically. At one point, she can clearly be heard saying, ''It's all my fault."

Martinez testified that he showed a picture of EM's back taken at the Douglas facility to Darrick Mittelstadt. He said Mittelstadt didn't seem concerned about the boy.

While Darrick Mittelstadt indicated in his testimony that he and Martinez didn't necessarily get along well, Martinez insisted that he had no animosity towards Mittelstadt and said he could only recall ever dealing with him about three times regarding fires handled by Mittelstadt as Chief of Laramie County Fire District#1.

Under questioning from Stewart, Martinez admitted they never told the Mittelstadts they were there to investigate a crime

Angela Mittelstadt earlier this week pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse in return for prosecutors dropping the conspiracy charge and asking for a 15- to 17-year prison sentence. If convicted on both original charges, she could have been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison. Darrick Mittelstadt could also be sentenced to 50 years if convicted and receiving the maximum sentence on both charges.

But Judge Peter Froelicher does not have to accept the plea agreement, and has delayed sentencing her until at least December 14. If he refuses the plea agreement, Angela Mittlestadt could withdraw her guilty plea and face the original charges.

Closing arguments in Darrick Mittelstadt's trial were scheduled for Thursday afternoon.