02-01-2012, 05:03 PM
Ogden • Before Alexis Rasmussen’s family called to report her missing last September, the teen had already died from a drug overdose and been dumped near the Weber River by the couple she had been baby-sitting for, a prosecutor said Tuesday.
In an afternoon news conference, Weber County Attorney Dee Smith announced criminal charges had been filed against Eric and Dea Millerberg, the couple long suspected in the North Ogden teen’s death.
Eric Millerberg is charged with a first-degree felony count of child abuse homicide and felony counts of obstructing justice, unlawful sexual activity with a minor and abuse or desecration of a dead body. His wife faces one count of third-degree felony abuse or desecration of a body.
Search warrants have alleged the couple were supplying Rasmussen drugs in exchange for baby-sitting. But Smith on Tuesday declined to elaborate on many of the details of Rasmussen’s death, including who supplied the drugs that killed her and what type of drugs they were. He also declined to explain the sex charge.
"The evidence does not suggest that this was an intentional act to cause her death," Smith said of the homicide charge against Eric Millerberg.
Smith characterized Dea Millerberg’s involvement in Rasmussen’s death as "minimal."
Smith said Rasmussen’s family was briefed last week after the last of the evidence in the case had been reviewed. Attempts to reach the family Tuesday were unsuccessful.
"Now we hope to give the family closure," North Ogden Police Chief Polo Afuvai said.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/534129...a.html.csp
In an afternoon news conference, Weber County Attorney Dee Smith announced criminal charges had been filed against Eric and Dea Millerberg, the couple long suspected in the North Ogden teen’s death.
Eric Millerberg is charged with a first-degree felony count of child abuse homicide and felony counts of obstructing justice, unlawful sexual activity with a minor and abuse or desecration of a dead body. His wife faces one count of third-degree felony abuse or desecration of a body.
Search warrants have alleged the couple were supplying Rasmussen drugs in exchange for baby-sitting. But Smith on Tuesday declined to elaborate on many of the details of Rasmussen’s death, including who supplied the drugs that killed her and what type of drugs they were. He also declined to explain the sex charge.
"The evidence does not suggest that this was an intentional act to cause her death," Smith said of the homicide charge against Eric Millerberg.
Smith characterized Dea Millerberg’s involvement in Rasmussen’s death as "minimal."
Smith said Rasmussen’s family was briefed last week after the last of the evidence in the case had been reviewed. Attempts to reach the family Tuesday were unsuccessful.
"Now we hope to give the family closure," North Ogden Police Chief Polo Afuvai said.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/534129...a.html.csp
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