CHEYENNE – A local fire chief and his wife accused of felony aggravated child abuse and conspiracy for their alleged treatment of their 13-year-old adopted son pleaded not guilty Thursday in Laramie County District Court.

The charges, which were filed July 25, allege that Laramie County Fire District 1 Chief Darrick Mittlestadt and his wife, Angela Mittlestadt, intentionally starved their older adopted son – referred to in court documents as EM – and socially isolated him.

According to court documents, Angela dropped EM off at the Youth Development Center in Douglas on June 22, at which time the Douglas Police were immediately called due to EM’s concerning physical state.

EM told officers he was allowed one meal a day, consisting of bread, ham, a bag of vegetables and a Gatorade Zero, w

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