Evansville woman accused of strangling child during fall festival

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

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

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

Officers say one of the women, later identified as Kristin Victoria Burnett, grabbed the girl by the throat and slammed her against a metal fence.

EPD says Burnett had the victim pinned against the fence until plainclothes detectives were able to pull her off the child.

Police say a man, identified as Michael A. Flemming Jr., then grabbed Burnett and tried to pull her away from officers.

Officers say Flemming held Burnett down and refused commands even after investigators identified themselves to him.

After he was apprehended, police said Flemming tried to “kick” and pulled away from the officers, causing one of them to scrape his knee and bleed.

Not long after, officers spoke with the child who had allegedly been strangled by Burnett.

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

The child says she tried to de-escalate the situation by offering her spot to Burnett, but she thinks Burnett didn’t hear her.

According to EPD, the child then walked toward the women and Burnett grabbed the child by the throat.

Officers noted redness on the child’s neck and small cuts on her face.

According to police, she also complained of pain and could not feel her nose.

Burnett was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of battery on person less than 14 years old, strangulation and disorderly conduct.

Flemming was also arrested and faces charges of battery on public safety officer, resisting law enforcement causing bodily harm, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

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