Burnsville couple charged with multiple counts of torture, endangerment of child
July 10, 2026
Karina Maria Burns, 27, and Colt Jonathan McNeese, 27, were charged* today with multiple felony offenses in connection with the abuse and endangerment of their 2-year-old child, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced.
Burns, who is the mother of the child, was charged with two counts of child torture, six counts of third-degree assault (victim under four) and one count of harassment. McNeese, the father, was charged with two counts of child endangerment (substantial harm).
According to the criminal complaint, on June 4, the Burnsville Police Department was contacted to conduct a welfare check involving a child. The reporting party provided officers with photographs of the child showing bruising across his body.
After arriving at the residence, officers observed that the child had stitches on his forehead and a significant number of bruises on his body. Officers documented the injuries which included extensive bruising across the child’s back, stomach, sides, arms, legs and face. Neither Burns or McNeese could provide officers with a plausible explanation for the injuries.
A 72-hour health and welfare hold was initiated and the child was removed from Burns and McNeese. The child was transferred to the hospital for further evaluation. A pediatrician concluded the bruising was consistent with abuse and noted there were few bruises in areas where toddlers commonly sustain accidental injuries, such as shins and knees.
Officers obtained statements from both Burns and McNeese. Burns minimized the extent of the child’s injuries and denied to ever hurting him. McNeese also denied to hurting the child but did admit they both lightly spanked him. During the investigation, officers interviewed neighbors, caregivers and acquaintances. Many revealed that they heard a “constant level of chaos coming from behind the door.” There was a history of welfare checks to the home because of a female and child screaming.
A search warrant was executed for their cell phones. Officers found more than 100,000 text messages between Burns and McNeese with videos and photos. Text message exchanges show that while McNeese was at work, Burns became angry when McNeese did not respond to her calls or messages. In apparent retaliation, Burns directed her anger toward the child by repeatedly shaking, striking, punching and threating to kill the child. Burns would then send McNeese photos and videos of the child upset and crying, documenting the abuse as it occurred.
During the time period of May 2024 to April 2025, officers found at least 11 dates where Burns had texted McNeese about physically hurting the child. From May 2025 to June 4, 2026, officers located at least 69 dates to where Burns stated via text message that she had assaulted the child. Many of the messages included photos and videos of the child crying and sobbing uncontrollably.
“What this child endured is unimaginable,” said County Attorney Keena. “I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the individual who stepped forward and reported concerns about the abuse of this child. Their willingness to act undoubtedly protected this child from further harm and may have saved the child's life. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder of the vital importance of speaking up when a child's safety is at risk.”
Both Burns and McNeese are currently in custody at the Dakota County Jail. Judge David N. Lutz set conditional bail for Burns at $500,000 and $140,000 for McNeese.
The next court hearing for Burns is scheduled for July 15 at 9 a.m. McNeese is scheduled to appear on Aug. 5 at 9 a.m.
County Attorney Keena thanked the Burnsville Police Department for the thorough investigation of this case.
A summary of the facts pertaining to this case can be found in the criminal complaint on the Criminal Complaint Search webpage.
*Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.