The incident, which took place at a residence in Detroit Lakes, is believed to be rooted in a family dispute over the belongings of Mitchell's late father.
The arrest occurred in the early hours of Monday, after the homeowner, who is also Mitchell's stepmother, alerted the authorities at approximately 4:45 a.m. The formal charges were filed on Tuesday, as per a complaint shared with The Hill. Mitchell, a former meteorologist and a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, is currently serving her first term in the Minnesota Senate, having been elected in 2022.
The complaint details that the police were alerted to a break-in at a residence, with the intruder reportedly fleeing to the basement. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mitchell, clad entirely in black, in the basement. Mitchell reportedly informed the officers that the victim was her stepmother, who had severed contact with her and her family following the death of Mitchell's father.
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Mitchell was quoted as saying, "I was just trying to get a couple of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me anymore," during her arrest. The items she sought were of sentimental value, including photographs, a flannel shirt, ashes, and other personal effects of her late father.
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During the arrest, Mitchell reportedly admitted to her lack of criminal prowess after officers discovered a laptop bearing her stepmother's name in her backpack. Mitchell claimed the laptop was a gift from her stepmother, a claim the latter denied.
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State Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, a Republican, expressed his shock at the news in a statement. "The public expects Legislators to meet a high standard of conduct. As information comes out, we expect the consequences to meet the actions, both in the court of law, and in her role at the legislature," Johnson said.
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Mitchell, who is currently in custody, acknowledged her wrongdoing after being read her Miranda rights. She admitted to driving from the Twin Cities to her stepmother's home and forcing entry through a window. She also revealed to a police officer that she had a falling out with her stepmother, leading to their current estrangement.
This incident comes at a critical juncture for Senate Democrats. Mitchell's arrest coincides with the Senate's Passover break and could potentially disrupt the legislative process. The Democrats hold a slim one-seat majority, and Mitchell's absence could hinder the passage of any legislation lacking bipartisan support.
As of now, it is unclear whether Mitchell has legal representation. The police chief stated he was unaware of any attorney representing her. Mitchell, who is due to appear in court on Tuesday, did not respond to a call left on the jail's voicemail system for inmates.
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