MN Dem Charged With Burglary 'Absolutely' Denies Crime

WOODBURY, MN — The Minnesota state senator facing a first-degree burglary charge denied any criminal wrongdoing in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

First-term Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, is accused of breaking into her stepmother's home while wearing all black early Monday morning.

In her account of the situation, Mitchell claimed she "startled a close relative, exacerbating paranoia, and I was accused of stealing, which I absolutely deny."

Read Mitchell's full statement below:

Like so many families, mine is dealing with the pain of watching a loved one decline due to Alzheimer's and associated paranoia.

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.

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.

If convicted, Mitchell faces "not less than 180 days in jail or county workhouse and up to 20 years imprisonment, a $35,000 fine, or both," a charging document states.

Mitchell was arrested Monday morning after she broke into her stepmother's house, according to police. She said she was taking back things from her stepmother, including her late father's ashes, according to the criminal complaint.

Around 4:45 a.m. Monday, Detroit Lakes police officers responded to a report of a home burglary.

Police searched the basement and quickly found a woman dressed in all-black clothing and a black hat.

If convicted, Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, a first-term Democrat, faces "not less than 180 days in jail or county workhouse and up to 20 years imprisonment, a $35,000 fine, or both," a charging document states.

Mitchell was arrested Monday morning after she broke into her stepmother's house, according to police. She said she was taking back things from her stepmother, including her late father's ashes, according to the criminal complaint.

Around 4:45 a.m. Monday, Detroit Lakes police officers responded to a report of a home burglary.

Police searched the basement and quickly found a woman dressed in all-black clothing and a black hat.