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OGDEN — Attorneys are expecting that Eric and Dea Millerberg will be charged in connection with the death of 16-year-old Alexis Rasmussen.
In 2nd District Court Wednesday, Dea Millerberg's newly appointed attorney said he was appointed to the case because of a potential conflict with her old attorney, Randy Marshall.
Marshall was assigned to represent both Dea and Eric Millerberg, 36, on their prescription fraud and probation violation cases. But Marshall had to withdraw from representing Dea Marshall because of potential charges that are expected to be filed in the Rasmussen investigation.
Dea Millerberg's new attorney, Mike Bouwhuis, said he had a "general discussion" with Weber County Attorney Dee Smith and learned that "charges will be coming" against the Millerbergs.
"That's what I've been told," he said.
Those charges could range from homicide to desecration of a dead body. Because both Millerbergs could be charged, the same attorney cannot represent both.
Dea Millerberg, 38, was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday on two felony counts of falsely obtaining a prescription. Bouwhuis was assigned to the case Wednesday morning. He asked the court to reschedule her hearing until Nov. 16 at which point a decision will be made whether to have a preliminary hearing.
Tuesday, Smith confirmed both Millerbergs were persons of interest in the disappearance and death of the North Ogden teen. Eric Millerberg's probation was revoked Tuesday and he was sent to the Utah State Prison on his original sentence of up to five years.
Related:
Family shares sadness, anger over Alexis Rasmussen's death
Two weeks after her daughter went missing, Dawn Miera said she bumped into Dea Millerberg. What was odd about the meeting, Miera says, was that Millerberg didn't even ask about her missing 16- year-old daughter, Alexis Rasmussen.Dea Millerberg remained in the Weber County Jail Wednesday on $10,000 bail.
Alexis was last seen babysitting for the Millerbergs at their home, 3328 N. 900 East, on the night of Sept. 10. She had tended the children, a 5-year-old and a 9-month- old, in the past.
According to Dawn Miera, Alexis' mother, Dea Millerberg returned home about 10:20 p.m. and Alexis went with her to Walgreens in Layton to pick up a prescription. Store surveillance video confirms the two were at the store, she said.
But when they were done picking up the medication, Dea Millerberg left again to resume her night out with her husband, something Miera said sounded very odd to her.
About 11:30 p.m. that night, Alexis texted her mother to report that the couple wasn't home yet. Her mother told Alexis to make sure she got paid and to stay the night at the Millerbergs' house because it was so late. That was the last contact her mother had with her.
The Millerbergs were arrested on Oct. 3 for investigation of charges unrelated to the Rasmussen case. Several search warrants have been served on their home since then. Smith said police have also seized a couple of vehicles in connection to the Rasmussen case. Her body was found last week in a rural area of Morgan County.
A funeral for Alexis will be held Saturday. Her family was expected to hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon and make their first public comments since their daughter's body was found.
Email:preavy@ksl.com
