Woman chokes 12-year-old girl who tried to stop fight at festival, Indiana cops say
An Indiana woman was arrested after police say she strangled a 12-year-old girl at a festival during an argument about skipping the line.
Kristin Burnett, 33, of Evansville was arrested Oct. 11 on charges of battery on a person less than 14 years old and disorderly conduct, according to a probable cause statement. Vanderburgh County jail records also list a strangulation charge.
Attorney information for Burnett was not available.
Evansville police officers working the festival in plain clothes saw a 12-year-old girl approach Burnett “in a non-threatening manner,” before Burnett grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the gate of an amusement ride, according to court records.
It took three officers to pull Burnett off the girl, authorities said.
The girl told authorities that she heard Burnett and another woman, both in line for a ride behind her, arguing about line-cutting, according to the probable cause statement.
To “de-escalate the argument,” the girl went to offer Burnett her spot in line, but she told police she doesn’t think Burnett heard her, court records show.
When she approached her to make the offer again, that’s when Burnett grabbed her by the throat, according to court records.
Officers noticed redness on the girl’s neck and scratches on her face from the attack, court records show.
Burnett was released on $1,445 bond. She is due back in court for an initial hearing Oct. 16, according to court records.
Evansville is about a 175-mile drive southwest from Indianapolis.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Woman chokes 12-year-old girl who tried to stop fight at festival, Indiana cops say."
