From left: Karina Burns and Colt McNeese (Dakota County Sheriff’s Office).
A couple has been jailed after Minnesota investigators alleged that the woman assaulted her 2-year-old son and shared images of the abuse with her boyfriend because he was not answering her messages while he was at work.
Karina Burns, 27, faces two counts of child torture, six counts of third-degree assault involving a victim under age 4, and one count of harassment, Dakota County officials said in a Friday announcement.
Colt McNeese, also 27, has been charged with two counts of child endangerment resulting in substantial harm.
The case began June 4, when Burnsville police were asked to conduct a welfare check at a home “involving a child.” Authorities said the person who contacted police gave officers photos showing bruises across the child’s body.
Burnsville sits in the Minneapolis metro area, roughly 15 miles south of the Twin Cities.
When officers arrived at the couple’s residence, they found the child had stitches on his forehead along with numerous bruises, according to the release. Officials said the toddler had extensive bruising on his back, stomach, sides, arms, legs and face, and that neither parent could offer police a credible explanation for the injuries.
Authorities removed the toddler from Burns’ and McNeese’s custody and placed him on a 72-hour health and welfare hold. After the child was taken to a hospital, a pediatrician determined the bruising was consistent with abuse and observed that there were few marks in areas where toddlers typically get accidental injuries, such as the shins and knees.
Investigators spoke with both parents. According to Dakota County authorities, Burns “minimized the extent of the child’s injuries,” and both parents denied ever hurting him, though McNeese “did admit they both lightly spanked him.”
Neighbors and other people close to the family were also interviewed, and they apparently had more to say.
“Many revealed that they heard a ‘constant level of chaos coming from behind the door,'” authorities said, noting that there was a “history of welfare checks to the home because of a female and child screaming.”
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the parents’ cellphones. They said they found more than 100,000 text messages between the couple, including photos and videos.
“Text message exchanges show that while McNeese was at work, Burns became angry when McNeese did not respond to her calls or messages,” authorities said. “In apparent retaliation, Burns directed her anger toward the child by repeatedly shaking, striking, punching,” and threatening to kill the child.
“Burns would then send McNeese photos and videos of the child upset and crying, documenting the abuse as it occurred,” authorities added.
There were reportedly at least 11 instances between May 2024 and April 2025 when Burns texted McNeese “about physically hurting the child,” and between May 2025 and June 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 Dakota County Attorney Kathy 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.”
Burns and McNeese were placed in the Dakota County Jail, with Burns’ bail placed at $500,000 and McNeese’s bail placed at $140,000.
Burns is scheduled to appear in court on July 15, and McNeese is scheduled to appear on Aug. 5.
