MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that her stepmother had stolen items of sentimental value, including remains from her late father, according to a home invasion charge filed Tuesday. He said he broke into his stepmother’s house because she refused to give him up.
Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, said: He was arrested early Monday. At his home in Detroit Lakes, a city in northwestern Minnesota. The arresting officer said in the complaint that Mitchell told her stepmother something to the effect of, “‘I was just trying to get some of my dad’s stuff because you don’t talk to me anymore.’ I heard you say that,” he wrote.
The complaint charges Mitchell with one count of first-degree theft, a felony. Becker County Judge Gretchen Tillmony granted Mitchell’s release on the condition that he not contact his stepmother.
Senate Republicans have called on Mitchell to resign, but he is expected to return to his job. Her troubles come at a troubling time for Senate Democrats, who hold just a one-seat majority with just under four weeks left in the legislative session.
Mr. Mitchell’s lawyer, Bruce Ringstrom Sr., said in an interview that the dispute arose from a “rift relationship” between the senator and his stepmother that was exacerbated by age-related issues.
“She’s nothing like the evil stepmother in Cinderella,” Ringstrom said.
Ringstrom said there will certainly be “internal discussions” among Senate Democrats about her future, but she is entitled to the presumption of innocence. He said he told her to suppress her “instincts as a media person, weather forecaster and politician” and that she agreed to “shut up and say nothing.”
However, in a subsequent Facebook post, Mitchell denied stealing. However, he did not explain why he entered the house without permission in the middle of the night.
“Like many families, my family struggles with the pain of watching a loved one weaken from Alzheimer’s disease and its associated paranoia. …This is a true tragedy for our family. and I hope this returns to a private matter,” Mitchell wrote.
The senator, wearing an orange jumpsuit and looking nervous, said little during his brief court appearance. She did not file her petition.
Mitchell’s father, Rod Mitchell, died in March 2023 at the age of 72, according to his obituary. He was married to Mitchell’s stepmother for 40 years, the paper said.
“I know I did something wrong,” Mitchell allegedly said, according to the criminal complaint.
According to the complaint, Mitchell was wearing all black clothing and a black hat when he was arrested. Officers said they found a flashlight near her covered by her black socks, which appeared to have been modified to control the amount of light.
Mitchell told officers she was looking for photographs, flannel shirts and ashes, but that her stepmother had cut off all contact with Mitchell, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, the deputy admitted entering through an open basement window with a black backpack propped up. Officers found her senator ID inside. She claimed that her stepmother had given her the laptop that was in her backpack “a long time ago,” but her stepmother disputed this. The senator, who holds a law degree, also indicated that he was arrested shortly after entering the country.
“Obviously I’m not good at this,” she reportedly said.
The stepmother said in an interview that she was scared of her stepdaughter. She also said most of her husband’s ashes were buried, but she sent Mitchell a miniature container containing some of them. But Ringstrom said that explanation is “not entirely accurate.”
Senate Democratic leader Erin Murphy of St. Paul called the allegations “upsetting,” but said she believed Mitchell would be allowed to return to work.
“We believe in due process and Sen. Mitchell is entitled to a full defense in court,” Murphy said in a statement.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks said in a statement that he should resign. He said the indictment contains allegations of nuisance behavior against the lawmaker, including extensive preparations to break into his relatives’ homes.
Mitchell served as a meteorologist for the U.S. Army, KSTP-TV, Minnesota Public Radio and the Weather Channel before being elected to represent the St. Paul suburb in 2022.
Mitchell’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 10th.
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This article has been updated to correct that the defendant’s father died in March 2023, not last month.