On 01/11/2026, at approximately 0204 hours, Pequot Lakes Police Officer Moan was dispatched to a residence located on County Road 107, Pequot Lakes, Crow Wing County, regarding a report of a domestic assault. Dispatch advised that a female identified as AB (fully identified in police reports) had suffered serious injuries to her face as a result of an assault by a male identified as Clinton Karnes [DOB REDACTED]. Officer Moan responded to the residence and upon arrival, Officer Moan observed the reporting party, identified as RW (fully identified in police reports), outside by his vehicle and AB was inside the vehicle in the passenger seat.
AB appeared to be in a large amount of visible pain. The officer observed a large gash on AB's upper lip and fresh bruising on her face. AB stated that Karnes was hitting her, and he then grabbed a metal lamp and at close distance, "smashed" the lamp into her face. AB stated she wanted to go to bed and went into the room to lie down, and she couldn't remember what the argument was about. AB stated that Karnes also hit her a few times with a fist and then hit her with the lamp. AB did not know Karnes current whereabouts.
Officers learned that AB and Karnes reside at the home owned by RW and have been residing there for approximately 2-3 months. Also residing at the residence was RW's 13-year-old daughter, HW. AB had been residing working as a nanny and residing at the home. AB had previously been in a romantic relationship with Karnes, who was also residing at the home owned by RW. AB reported that she and Karnes relationship had ended a few weeks before this assault but shared a room at the residence. Also at the residence at the time of this assault was a friend of HW, 12-year-old AD. Both minor children witnessed AB after she was assaulted by Karnes and witnessed some of the interaction between Karnes and AB after AB was assaulted.
AB was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd. At approximately 1140hrs Officer Melin attempted to obtain a statement from AB while she was at the hospital. AB appeared to be in a lot of pain and was crying during the interaction. AB asked if Karnes had been found and taken into custody. Officer Melin was advised that AB suffered a concussion, a broken nose, a chipped tooth and another tooth which was cracked in half. Additionally, AB's upper lip was completely split open and she had stitches.
AB was admitted overnight at the hospital. Karnes was located hiding in a camper on the property and was arrested and transported to the Crow Wing County Jail. At the jail, Karnes provided a statement to law enforcement wherein he claimed that AB had woken him up and that she shoved him in the bedroom because "she gets on a power trip with the room". Karnes stated that he fell backwards and he grabbed the lamp; while falling, it came unclipped, and he threw it, and AB stood up, and it hit her. Karnes stated he didn't mean to hit AB with the lamp.
