A Wyoming fire chief and his wife were accused of severely starving their 13-year-old adopted son to the point where he weighed 54 pounds.
Former Chief of Laramie County Fire District No. 1 Darrick Mittlestadt and his wife, Angela Mittlestadt, have both been charged with aggravated child abuse and conspiracy for the alleged mistreatment of the 13-year-old boy.
Child abuse physician Dr. Andy Sirotnak took the stand during the first day of Darrick’s trial on Tuesday, September 22, after he examined the victim following his hospitalization in June 2025.
“No muscle to the bone,” Sirotnak said of the boy’s condition, according to Cowboy State Daily.
Sirotnak testified that the victim was diagnosed with cachexia, which is a complex metabolic syndrome that is characterized by progressive involuntary loss of body mass. He noted that the boy was so thin that he resembled a “concentration camp survivor” and “looked extremely ill,” per the outlet.
“Common sense would tell you that if you saw a child or patient who looked like this, they needed care,” Sirotnak said.
The victim also testified and claimed that he was kept in a bedroom all day, according to KGAB.
He went on to allege that he was fed “one to three times a day.” While he was sometimes given “peanut butter sandwiches or PB&J sandwiches,” he added that he occasionally had ham sandwiches or “what they ate.”
The couple allegedly starved the victim, who they took in six years ago, because of the way that he “behaved,” according to their affidavits viewed by Cowboy State Daily.
“I’m only allowed to eat one meal a day since there’s no point in giving me food,” the teen reportedly told police following the couple’s arrests, per the affidavit.
Angela, 49, reportedly told investigators that it was “overwhelming” for her to take care of the victim and another younger child while Darrick, 49, was so busy with work. Authorities added that Darrick accepted responsibility for the boy’s condition while speaking to police.
“I failed everyone, because I didn’t do my job,” Darrick allegedly said.
Authorities learned of the boy’s condition in June 2025 when Angela dropped him off at a Youth Development Center and told him to tell a rep there that he “needed somewhere to live,” per the affidavit.
The teen told the rep he was treated that way because he “wasn’t very nice and did stuff he shouldn’t have done such as wetting the bed and picking at himself.”
The boy was then taken to the Colorado Children’s Hospital for medical treatment on June 24, 2025, where it was determined that his malnourishment was not a recent issue.
Angela previously pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse. As part of her plea deal, she is expected to be sentenced to 15 to 17 years in prison. However, her sentencing hearing has not yet taken place.
She is expected to testify during her husband’s trial, according to Cowboy State Daily.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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