St. Michael Woman Charged After Strangling Mother in 'Religious Episode'

A St. Michael woman is facing felony strangulation and assault charges after she allegedly flew into a "religious" episode, accused her mother of being Satan, and strangled her mother in their St. Michael Parkway apartment. 

According to a criminal complaint filed in Wright County District Court, Amanda Kay Odegard attacked her mother in the early morning hours of Nov. 21 at their residence. Odegard, answered the door when deputies arrived at around 5 a.m. that morning, referring officers from the Wright County Sheriff's Department to her mother. 

Amanda cornered her mom earlier in the evening, screaming religious, nonsensical statements and forcing her mom into a bedroom in the apartment. The mother said the episode started around 11:30 p.m. the previous night, and she confronted her daughter around 2:30 a.m. 

That turned physical, the report states. Amanda allegedly "pushed [her mother] down onto the floor. The victim stated that defendant choked her with both hands around her neck for approximately five seconds and she had difficulty breathing." 

The complaint continues: 

"The victim stated that defendant then followed her into the bedroom, pushed her against the wall, and started choking her again. [Odegard] stated to her mother while strangling her, 'You are Satan, Satan comes out of you.' She tried to push her mother out of the apartment telling her she had to leave. The mother stated at one point defendant took her phone away and threw it, causing it to break into several pieces and preventing AKAO from calling 911."
 
Deputies arriving on scene discovered injuries on the mother consistent with strangulation, the report concluded. 

Amanda Odegard faces a maximum sentence of three years jail time for the assault and strangulation charges. She is also charged with interfering with a 911 call, which carries a max sentence of one year in jail.