Burnsville woman charged in 3-year-old’s death a month after Eden Prairie beach collapse

A Burnsville woman is facing manslaughter and child endangerment charges in the 2023 death of her 3-year-old son, who collapsed at a beach in an Eden Prairie park and later died.

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office filed the criminal complaint on July 8, 2025, charging Saynab Abdullahi Dahir, 35, with second-degree manslaughter, four counts of gross misdemeanor child endangerment, and felony harassment/stalking. Prosecutors allege she neglected and abused her son to the point of severe malnutrition, leaving him vulnerable to fatal illness.

According to the complaint, Eden Prairie police and paramedics were called on June 4, 2023, to a beach in a city park, where they found the boy in cardiac arrest. He was visibly malnourished and dehydrated, with ribs protruding, swollen joints, poor muscle development, and broken and missing teeth.

Dahir told first responders the boy had been sick for a week, refused to eat solids and seemed dehydrated. She said she brought him to the beach to “sweat out” the illness and gave him a sip of water before his eyes rolled back.

At Children’s Hospital, doctors found evidence of brain volume loss linked to chronic malnutrition, along with infections that a pediatric abuse specialist said were more likely – and potentially deadly – because of his condition.

While the boy was hospitalized, Dahir allegedly tampered with medical equipment and handled his jaw and throat in ways that could obstruct his breathing, prompting staff to limit her visits. He remained hospitalized for more than a month before his death on July 13, 2023.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner cited complications from anoxic encephalopathy due to cardiac arrest, with malnutrition and a urinary tract infection as contributing factors. At autopsy, he weighed 25 pounds – less than the first percentile for his age.

The complaint also describes a pattern of abuse involving the boy and his four siblings, then ages 5 to 9. The children told investigators Dahir forced them to vomit by inserting her fingers or other objects down their throats, sometimes while restraining them. They said she discouraged medical visits, telling them doctors “kill people.”

After being placed in their father’s care in June 2023, all four surviving children – who were medically underweight when removed from the home – gained significant weight, according to the complaint.

Dahir was arrested on July 10, 2025, and spent five days in custody before posting a $50,000 non-cash bond on July 15. She was released under court-ordered conditions, including no contact with victim(s).

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings.