Minnesota state lawmaker ‘absolutely’ denies burglary accusation

A Minnesota state lawmaker denied a burglary charge she got following her arrest Monday in the city of Detroit Lakes in a post on Facebook.

“Like so many families, mine is dealing with the pain of watching a loved one decline due to Alzheimer’s and associated paranoia,” Sen. Nicole Mitchell (D) said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday. “Over the weekend, I learned of medical information which caused me grave concern and prompted me to check on that family member. I entered a home I have come and gone from countless times in the past 20 years, where my son even once had his own room.”

“Unfortunately, I startled this close relative, exacerbating paranoia, and I was accused of stealing, which I absolutely deny,” Mitchell continued. “Thank you to all my friends (and colleagues of both parties) for the kind words of support and for trusting my character even before I had a chance to respond. This has been a true tragedy for our family and my hope is it can return to being a private matter.”

Mitchell was arrested at a residence after police responded to a call early Monday morning, Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steven Todd told The Hill. According to a complaint filed Tuesday and shared with The Hill, Mitchell was formally charged with a count of first-degree burglary. 

Police had received reports of a break-in at a residence, with someone running into the basement, per the complaint. They found Mitchell dressed in black clothes and a black hat in the basement. 

The complaint also said Mitchell told officers that the victim was her stepmother, who halted contact with her and her family following the death of Mitchell’s father.  

“I was just trying to get a couple of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me anymore,” she said her stepmother amid her arrest, per the complaint.

Mitchell also said that she knew she “did something bad,” following being read her Miranda rights, according to the complaint.