Casper Police Officer’s Misdemeanor Child Endangerment Charge Dismissed; Case To Be Refiled Read

By Nick Learned

A judge on Monday dismissed a misdemeanor child endangerment charge against a sergeant of the Casper Police Department.

In his motion to dismiss, Assistant District Attorney Brett Johnson said the state intends to refile the case against Sgt. Todd Wells and include an additional charge.

Johnson could not be reached by phone Tuesday afternoon.

Natrona County Circuit Court Judge Steven Brown granted Johnson's motion following a short hearing Monday morning.

His wife, Laura Starnes-Wells, faces one count of felony child abuse. Charging papers allege her punishment of the couple's adopted son and daughter, both special-needs children, was excessive to the point of criminality.

Wells was charged with the misdemeanor for allegedly mistreating the children along with Starnes-Wells and allowing the abuse to continue.

A warrant for Wells' arrest was issued in February. He turned himself in to the Natrona County Sheriff's Office, which investigated the case.

The police department placed the couple on administrative leave in November.