EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A 33-year-old woman was arrested on Friday night after allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old girl during a dispute over line-cutting at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival, according to police.
The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m., when officers working security at the festival witnessed an argument between Kristin Burnett and another woman, as described in a probable cause affidavit. Burnett was reportedly upset about someone cutting in line for an amusement ride.
During the argument, the 12-year-old girl attempted to deescalate the situation by offering her spot in line to Burnett, according to the affidavit. When Burnett did not respond, the girl approached her in what was described as a “non-threatening manner.”
“I observed Burnett grab [the victim] by the throat and forcibly push her against the gate of an amusement ride,” a detective wrote in the affidavit.
Three officers intervened and restrained Burnett. A man identified as Michael A. Flemming Jr. allegedly interfered with the officers’ efforts to detain her.
After both were taken into custody, the victim told officers her “breathing was restricted” and that she could not feel her nose after the attack, according to the affidavit. Four witnesses corroborated the girl’s account, police said.
