Burnsville Man Charged With Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old Child
Published: September 10, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MN: A Burnsville man and registered predatory offender is facing two felony criminal sexual conduct charges after authorities allege he repeatedly sexually abused a 7-year-old child over a period of several months.
Jason Foster Groutwells, 42, was charged in Dakota County District Court with first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under 18, a significant relationship and multiple acts, along with second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under 16, a significant relationship and multiple acts. The charges stem from an investigation by the Burnsville Police Department that began after Dakota County Child Protective Services received information regarding an alleged disclosure of sexual abuse.
According to the criminal complaint, authorities allege the abuse occurred between approximately May 1 and Aug. 10, 2026, in Dakota County.
Report Prompts Investigation
The Burnsville Police Department received a cross-report from Dakota County Child Protective Services on August 28, 2026, regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving the 7-year-old child, according to the complaint. Court documents allege Groutwells had previously made statements to a mandated reporter about attempting to help the child with difficulties sleeping. Those statements included an alleged admission that he had shown the child an inappropriate method of self-soothing that involved sexual touching.
Because of the child's age and the nature of the allegations, Limitless Media News is withholding graphic details contained in the criminal complaint as well as information that could further identify the child.
An investigator later spoke with an adult witness after the child disclosed the alleged touching on August 10th, according to the complaint. Court documents allege Groutwells was subsequently confronted about what the child had reported. Groutwells allegedly acknowledged inappropriate touching had occurred and said what he had done was wrong and a mistake. According to the complaint, he allegedly admitted to touching the child inappropriately but denied one of the more serious forms of contact later described by the child during the investigation.
Child Participates in Forensic Interview
The child later participated in a forensic interview as part of the investigation. According to the complaint, the child told the interviewer that Groutwells had done "inappropriate things" and said the child had been afraid to tell others because of concerns that Groutwells would be arrested.
According to court documents, investigators used age-appropriate anatomical drawings and dolls during the forensic interview. The complaint alleges the child described and demonstrated multiple instances of inappropriate sexual touching. The child also reportedly told investigators the contact caused pain and described attempting to stop Groutwells during some of the alleged incidents.
The child further alleged that some of the incidents involved penetration, according to the complaint. Court documents allege the abuse began during the summer when the child was 6 years old.
Two Felony Charges Filed
Groutwells is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct under a provision of Minnesota law involving a minor victim, a significant relationship between the defendant and victim, and multiple acts of alleged sexual abuse over an extended period. The first-degree charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $40,000, according to the charging documents.
He is also charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under 16, a significant relationship, and multiple acts over an extended period. That charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $35,000.
The charges are allegations. Groutwells is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Previous Child Sexual Abuse Material Convictions
Court documents identify Groutwells as a registered predatory offender. According to the new criminal complaint, Groutwells has five previous convictions for possession of child sexual abuse material stemming from Dakota County. Prosecutors cited those convictions and the allegations in the new case while requesting significant bail.
"The allegations in this case are abhorrent, and significant bail is warranted for victim safety," prosecutors wrote in their bail request.
The Dakota County Attorney's Office also indicated it intends to seek the statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in prison if Groutwells is convicted.
Bail Set at $700,000
Prosecutors requested $750,000 bail along with several conditions of release. Those conditions include no contact with the child and exclusion from the child's location and a one-mile radius around it. Groutwells is also prohibited from having contact with minor females. The judge ultimately set bail at $700,000.
The Burnsville Police Department initiated the investigation. The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court as this case is ongoing.
Pictured: Jason Foster Groutwells. Provided by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
