A Minnesota couple remains in custody following an investigation into allegations that a two-year-old boy was repeatedly assaulted to get his stepfather’s attention while he was at work. Authorities discovered the pattern of violence after auditing more than 100,000 text messages, photos, and videos shared between the parents.
Dakota County officials announced Friday that 27-year-old Karina Burns faces two counts of child torture, six counts of third-degree assault of a victim under four years old, and one count of harassment. Her boyfriend, 27-year-old Colt McNeese, faces two counts of child endangerment causing substantial harm.
The investigation began on June 4 when the Burnsville Police Department conducted a welfare check at the couple’s home, located roughly 15 miles south of Minneapolis. The check was initiated by an individual who provided officers with photographs showing bruising across the toddler’s body.
Upon arrival, officers noted that the child had stitches on his forehead and extensive bruising across his back, stomach, sides, arms, legs, and face. According to the press release, neither parent could provide a plausible explanation for the injuries.
Child protection workers placed the toddler on a 72-hour health and welfare hold. A hospital pediatrician subsequently examined the boy and concluded the bruising was consistent with physical abuse, noting a lack of typical accidental injuries on areas like the shins and knees.
During initial interviews, both parents denied hurting the child, though McNeese told investigators they both “lightly spanked him.” Investigators noted that Burns minimized the extent of the toddler’s injuries. Interviews with neighbors revealed a “history of welfare checks to the home because of a female and child screaming,” with multiple residents reporting a “constant level of chaos coming from behind the door.”
A forensic search of the couple’s cellphones revealed a massive log of text messages detailing the abuse. Dakota County authorities stated that when McNeese did not respond to Burns’ calls or messages while he was at work, Burns directed her anger at the child by repeatedly shaking, striking, punching, and threatening to kill him. “Burns would then send McNeese photos and videos of the child upset and crying, documenting the abuse as it occurred,” authorities stated.
Text logs revealed at least 11 instances between May 2024 and April 2025 where Burns texted McNeese about physically harming the boy. Between May 2025 and June 2026, investigators identified at least 69 dates when Burns texted McNeese, stating she had assaulted the child, frequently attaching photos and videos of the toddler crying uncontrollably.
“What this child endured is unimaginable,” Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said in a statement. “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 is being held at the Dakota County Jail on a $500,000 bail and is scheduled for a court appearance on July 15. McNeese remains jailed on a $140,000 bail with his next court date set for August 5.
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