Woman in Marinette County child abuse video gets three-year probation

MARINETTE (WLUK) -- A woman who appears in a video apparently showing a mother pulling the hair of her two-year-son while live streaming was placed on probation for three years Monday.

Amara Burns, 27, was convicted of battery to a police officer for kicking an officer during her arrest. Three other counts, including being party to child abuse, were previously dismissed. The judge stayed an 18-month prison term, which Burns only would have to serve if she violated terms of the probation, court records show. The case could be expunged from her record, if she successfully completes probation.

The mother, Natasha Hunt, 23, returns to court March 19 for a status conference on two counts, including child abuse. No trial date has been set.

According to the criminal complaint, when Niagara police first asked the two, both denied posting any video or having knowledge of any abuse. The boy showed no signs of injury and told police he was not injured.

Police then reviewed the video from the Aug. 24 incident. According to the criminal complaint:

"In the video, Natasha approached Amara and (the victim). Natasha grabbed (the victim) by the hair and began to pull violently, Natasha was pulling (the victim)'s head in multiple directions. Natasha was looking at the camera with an angry look on her face. (the victim) was saying "OW" repeatedly and began to cry. Amara put up both of her hands. Amara did not appear to assist in the pulling of the hair besides holding (the victim) onto her lap while Natasha committed the physical pain to (the victim). Amara did not make any attempt to stop Natasha. For a brief moment, Natasha stopped pulling (the victim)'s hair. Then she began pulling (the victim)'s hair again to the point that she pulled (the victim) off Amara's lap and out of the picture. I could hear (the victim) saying "OW" and crying. You can see Natasha moving around as if she was still pulling (the victim)'s hair. Amara looked in the direction of where this incident was occurring and looked back at the camera smiling. She again made no attempt to stop Natasha from harming (the victim)," the complaint states.

The incident happened Aug. 24 at a home in Niagara.