Evansville woman accused of strangling child at Fall Festival

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – A 33-year-old woman was arrested after police say she strangled a child at the Fall Festival Friday night.

Around 8 p.m., two plainclothes EPD detectives were working at the festival when the incident occurred.

According to an affidavit, two women were arguing when a 12-year-old girl approached them.

According to officers, one of the women, later identified as Kristin Victoria Burnett, grabbed the girl by the throat and threw her against a metal fence.

According to EPD, Burnett held the victim against the fence until plainclothes officers were able to pull her off the child.

According to police, a man identified as Michael A. Flemming Jr. grabbed Burnett and attempted to pull her away from the officers.

Officers say Flemming held Burnett down and refused orders even after detectives identified themselves to him.

According to police, after his arrest, Flemming attempted a “mule kick” and backed away from the officers, causing one of them to scrape his knee and bleed.

Not too long afterward, officers spoke with the child who was allegedly strangled by Burnett.

The child told police that she was standing in line for a ride when she heard two women behind her arguing about cutting the rope.

The child says she tried to defuse the situation by offering her seat to Burnett, but believes Burnett didn’t hear her.

According to EPD, the child then walked toward the women and that’s when Burnett grabbed the child by the neck.

Officers noticed redness on the child’s neck and small cuts on his face.

She also complained of pain and said she couldn’t feel her nose, according to police.

Burnett was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of assault on a person under 14, strangulation and disorderly conduct.

Flemming was also arrested and faces charges of assault on a public safety officer, resisting law enforcement, assault, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

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