Ex-EMT, facing sentencing on possessing child sex abuse images, called ‘predator’

Prosecutors: Former Kensington EMT a child ‘predator’

BRENTWOOD — Prosecutors are hoping new testimony will convince a judge that former Kensington EMT Todd Burnim was more than a collector of child sex abuse images and, in fact, a predator.

Burnim, 57, was convicted in March of 15 counts of possession of child sexual abuse image charges. He was in court Friday for sentencing and after five hours of witness testimony, it was continued until next month.

Burnim is also awaiting trial in a separate case on 12 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and two felonious sexual assault charges police say he committed against three minors under the age of 13 between 2012 and 2019. He is also facing another trial on 26 more counts of possession of child sex abuse images after being indicted by a Rockingham County grand jury in March.

Witness Testimony

1. Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway brought two witnesses to speak Friday, alluding to Burnim’s other charges and predatory behavior.
2. One was a Kensington police sergeant who testified about witnesses coming forward about Burnim’s alleged pattern of sexual abuse of minors.
3. The other was a 19-year-old woman who said Burnim coerced her into sending him nude photos when she was 12 years old.

Sentencing Delayed

The sentencing will commence July 12 at 1 p.m., pushed out a month because of the court’s packed schedule in June. Conway said she hopes the testimony will make the case for a “substantial stand-committed state prison sentence.”

Ex-EMT Todd Burnim to be sentenced in July

Burnim previously served as an EMT for Kensington and East Kingston fire departments as well as worked for Action Ambulance Service, according to the Kensington police. He was arrested in January 2022 after a two-hour standoff with police on charges of allegedly drugging and abusing three victims over several years.

Allegations of Sexual Abuse

• According to court documents, he is accused of sexually abusing one child from the age of 6 to 12 years old and another from age 9 to 12.
• A third child was sexually abused in 2017 for a period of a few weeks, according to police.
• Police said the victims described being given “white pills” and “green liquid from a syringe.”

Discovery of Child Sex Abuse Images

The child sex abuse images discovered on his computer and other devices were found during the police investigation into the abuse charges.

Testimony from a Victim

Prosecutors say the 19-year-old witness called Friday was in one of the photos of child sexual abuse, taken when she was 12 years old. The witness said she never knew Burnim’s name but confirmed for Assistant County Attorney Taylor Beucler she was in a photo presented to the court. The image was shown out of view of the public inside the courtroom.

If you need help

Seacoast Media Group provides the following information as a public service when reporting on cases of alleged sexual violence:

• Haven is a violence prevention and support service for men, women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence. Haven’s 24-hour hotline is 1-603-994-SAFE (7233). This is a confidential crisis support line in the Seacoast and Rochester region staffed by trained advocates. Information: havennh.org

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Under SDG 5, the specific target is Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • Under SDG 16, the specific target is Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • For Target 5.2, the article mentions the testimony of a 19-year-old woman who was coerced into sending nude photos when she was 12 years old. This can be used as an indicator for Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
   • For Target 16.2, the article mentions the charges against the former EMT for sexually abusing minors. This can be used as an indicator for Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

Source: seacoastonline.com