Burnsville Man Faces Domestic Assault and Child Abuse Charges Following Hours-Long Standoff
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA – In an update to our original story from the hours-long standoff in Burnsville on Sunday, a man has been charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation and gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child following an incident on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Authorities responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Country View Drive in Burnsville, MN, after receiving a distress call from a young child who reported being assaulted by her father, Christopher Michael Thole, 41.
According to the criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, officers arrived at the scene and made phone contact with Child A, who was reported to be under the age of 13. The child alleged that Thole had strangled her, slammed her to the ground, and prevented her and her juvenile sibling from leaving the residence. Child A had barricaded herself in her bedroom and called for help using a tablet.
When officers contacted Thole, he reportedly refused to allow his children to leave or exit the residence himself. Law enforcement engaged in several hours of crisis negotiations before Thole finally surrendered and was taken into custody. Officers noted that Thole’s speech was allegedly slurred, and he made a series of incoherent statements during the standoff.
According to the criminal complaint, during an interview, Child A described the events leading up to the assault. She stated that Thole had allegedly cornered her, pushed her against a kitchen counter, and applied pressure to her neck, restricting her ability to breathe. She further reported that he allegedly threw her to the ground by her ponytail and shoulder. Child A was able to retreat to her bedroom, where Thole accused her of being an alleged "spy" and tore a necklace from her neck before eventually leaving the room. Officers later documented visible redness and bruising on Child A’s neck and recovered the broken necklace.
Thole was arrested and charged with domestic assault by strangulation, a felony under Minnesota Statute 609.2247.2, which carries a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison and a fine ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. He was also charged with malicious punishment of a child, a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 609.377.1, which carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine between $900 and $3,000.
Thole's bond has been set at $150,000 with conditions. He remains in custody at Dakota County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 19, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the well-being of the children involved. The case remains under investigation.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
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