Man pleads not guilty in abuse case

EAU CLAIRE — One of four family members accused of sexually abusing a young relative pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court Monday morning.

Ryan Stelzer, 40, Boyd, faces a single count of first-degree sexual assault of a child. This is a class B felony with up to 60 years in prison.

Authorities filed the complaint last spring after a woman spoke with police and told them the abuse took place between the ages of 6 and 17. According to the criminal complaint, the identity of her attacker changed over the years, from demanding she have sex with them to forced oral sex.

The woman’s sister told authorities the abuse was “an open secret” in the home.

Monday’s indictment was the first action in the case in about two months. Stelzer is scheduled to hold a status hearing in December.

Two of Stelzer’s brothers also face charges. Robert Stelzer, 42, Stanley, and Richard Stelzer, 43, Stanley, each face a single count of repeated sexual assault of a child, a class B felony.

Robert’s arraignment is scheduled for later this month. Richard pleaded not guilty in August.

Darcy Johnson, 54, of Cornell, faces charges of sexual assault of a child under 13 and incest involving the same woman. He has not yet been indicted due to questions about his competence as a defendant.