Authorities in Minnesota have charged a woman with multiple counts of torturing and assaulting her 2-year-old son after discovering evidence of repeated abuse sent to her boyfriend. The man faces separate charges related to the child's endangerment.
Karina Burns, 27, faces two counts of child torture, six counts of third-degree assault of a victim under 4 years old, and one count of harassment. Colt McNeese, also 27, has been charged with two counts of child endangerment causing substantial harm. Both are in the Dakota County Jail with bail set at $500,000 for Burns and $140,000 for McNeese.
The case came to light on June 4 after Burnsville police received a welfare check request and photos showing extensive bruising on the child. Officers found the toddler with stitches on his forehead and widespread injuries across his body. A pediatrician later confirmed the injuries were consistent with abuse rather than typical toddler accidents.
Investigators recovered over 100,000 text messages between the couple. These included documentation of at least 69 instances between May 2025 and June 2026 in which Burns described assaulting the child and sent photos and videos of him crying.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said the child's experience was unimaginable and thanked the person who reported the abuse. Burns is scheduled to appear in court on July 15 and McNeese on Aug. 5.