A Burnsville couple is facing multiple felony charges after Dakota County prosecutors say their two-year-old child
suffered extensive abuse.
Twenty-seven-year-old Karina Maria Burns has been charged with two counts of child torture, six counts of third-degree assault involving a child under four, and one count of harassment.
Twenty-seven-year-old Colt Jonathan McNeese is charged with two counts of child endangerment causing substantial harm.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Burnsville police conducted a welfare check on June 4 after receiving reports about possible abuse. Officers found the toddler with stitches on the forehead and widespread bruising across the body. Doctors later determined the injuries were consistent with physical abuse.
Investigators say neither parent could provide a reasonable explanation for the child’s injuries. The child was removed from the home and placed in protective custody.
The criminal complaint alleges investigators later recovered more than 100,000 text messages, photos, and videos from the couple’s cell phones.
Prosecutors say the evidence shows Burns repeatedly assaulted the child and sent photos and videos to McNeese while he was at work. The complaint alleges the abuse occurred over a period of more than two years.
Dakota County Attorney Kathryn Keena called the allegations “unimaginable” and praised the person who reported concerns about the child’s welfare, saying that action may have saved the child’s life.
Both Burns and McNeese remain in custody in the Dakota County Jail. Burns’ bail has been set at $500,000, while McNeese’s bail is set at $140,000. Burns is scheduled to return to court July 15, with McNeese due back in court August 5.
The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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