Senator accused of stealing father’s ashes

AMinnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother’s home because the woman refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed on Tuesday.

Democratic state Senator Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was arrested early Monday at the home in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes. The arresting officer wrote in the complaint that he heard Mitchell tell her stepmother “something to the effect of, ’I was just trying to get a couple of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me any more’.”

The complaint, filed in Becker County District Court in Detroit Lakes, charges Mitchell with one count of first-degree burglary, a felony. Judge Gretchen Thilmony allowed Mitchell to go free on the conditions that she not contact her stepmother and that she complies with a harassment restraining order.

Although state Senate Republicans called on Mitchell to resign, she’s expected to return to her duties. Mitchell was arrested while the Senate is on its Passover break. It comes at an awkward time for Senate Democrats, who hold a one-seat majority with just under four weeks left in the legislative session. Her absence would make it difficult to pass any legislation that lacks bipartisan support.

Mitchell’s attorney, Bruce Ringstrom Sr, said in an interview after her first appearance that the charges are “flabbergasting to her” and that the dispute arose out of a “fractured relationship” between the state senator and her stepmother that has been aggravated by age-related issues.

Mitchell’s father, Rod Mitchell, died last month at age 72, according to an obituary posted by a Detroit Lakes funeral home. He had been married to Mitchell’s stepmother for 40 years, it said.

“I know I did something bad,” the criminal complaint quoted Mitchell as saying after she was told of her right to remain silent.

Mitchell’s next court appearance is set for June 10, but her attorney said it will likely be delayed to give him time to study the evidence.

AP Democratic State Senator Nicole Mitchell (right), of Woodbury, speaks with Senator Robert D. Farnsworth, a Republican from Hibbing, on the floor of the Minnesota Senate on April 2. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski)