Burnsville Parents Charged in Dakota County Child Abuse Case Involving Toddler
Dakota County Jail Booking Photos
Published: July 10th, 2026
BURNSVILLE MN: Two Burnsville parents are facing multiple felony charges after Dakota County prosecutors alleged a young child endured repeated abuse over a period of more than two years before a welfare check led to a criminal investigation.
According to separate criminal complaints, Karina Maria Burns faces nine felony charges, while Colt Jonathan McNeese faces two felony child endangerment charges.
Burns is charged with two counts of child torture, six counts of third-degree assault involving a victim under the age of four, and one count of felony harassment (stalking). McNeese is charged with two felony counts of child endangerment resulting in substantial harm.
According to the complaints, Burnsville police conducted a welfare check at the family's residence on June 4, 2026, after receiving a report regarding possible injuries to a child under the age of three. Officers allegedly observed numerous visible injuries, and the child was transported to a hospital under a 72-hour protective hold. Medical professionals later concluded the injuries were consistent with physical abuse, according to the complaints.
Prosecutors allege investigators recovered extensive digital evidence after executing search warrants on the parents' cell phones. According to the complaints, the devices contained more than 100,000 text messages, along with photographs and videos, that investigators say documented repeated abuse of the child over an extended period. The complaints allege the messages spanned from 2024 through June 2026.
The criminal complaint against Burns alleges she repeatedly admitted in messages to physically abusing the child while serving as the child's primary caregiver. Prosecutors further allege that photographs and videos recovered during the investigation were consistent with those admissions and documented injuries over time.
The complaint against McNeese alleges he was aware of the ongoing abuse through the text conversations and, despite at times telling Burns to stop or threatening to contact law enforcement, failed to take action to protect the child. Prosecutors allege this conduct forms the basis for the felony child endangerment charges.
According to court documents, investigators also interviewed neighbors and other individuals familiar with the household, some of whom reported hearing frequent disturbances. Officers additionally documented prior welfare checks to the residence, according to the complaints.
The child has since been removed from the parents' custody. According to the complaints, subsequent photographs taken after the child's removal no longer showed the previously documented injuries.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaints have not been proven in court. Burns and McNeese are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.