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…