43 felonies filed against Brownsburg daycare employee for sexual molestation, exploitation

BROWNSBURG, Ind; — On Friday, 43 felony counts of child molestation, child exploitation and possession of child pornography were filed against a former employee of a daycare in Brownsburg.

The suspect, Gabriel Garner, made his initial hearing in Hendricks County on Friday, during which it took the judge almost a half hour to read the lengthy list of charges out loud.

Main Street University 4 Kidz remains shut down after allegations surfaced this week that Garner may have sexually molested children at the Brownsburg daycare.

According to court records, investigators found more than 130 sexually graphic photos on Gabriel Garner’s phone, taken at the daycare between May 2024 and January 2025, all involving pre-kindergarten children between the ages of 3 and 5.

“The parents are feeling absolutely blindsided and devastated. This is the worst 48 hours of their lives,” said attorney Catherine Michael.

Michael came to court representing some of the victim’s families. She believes the daycare managers failed to properly report possible wrongdoing by Garner for nearly a year.

In fact, the case only came to light last month when an employee reported the allegations because her managers didn’t, despite being required by state law.

“I think the worst part is it could been stopped far earlier than it was. This man was reported as a possible perpetrator a year ago,” said Michael.

“It is a tragedy. It’s heartbreaking and it is disgusting,” said Brownsburg Police Captain Jennifer Barrett.

Police say they’re still combing through nearly 125-thousand pornographic images found on Garner’s phone, most of which he allegedly downloaded, but didn’t take himself.

So far, police have identified six victims from the daycare which led to the criminal charges already filed, but police and prosecutors say more victims and more charges are still possible.

In a news release on Friday, Brownsburg police added the following information for concerned parents:

Undoubtedly, and very understandably, many parents whose children attend and/or attended Main Street University 4 Kidz are stressed and fearful as to the unknown. Many are concerned that their child is and/or was a victim. Therefore, BPD Detectives want to provide the following information in effort to ease some concerns that their respective child may have been a victim:

1. Detectives have already identified and contacted the known victims that Garner has been charged with.

2. To serve as a timeframe reference for parents, Garner had been an employee of Main Street University 4 Kidz since February 2021 and had resigned in April of this year.

Investigators say the scope of the case can send an important safety message to parents everywhere.

“I think what I hope people recognize is these people are amongst us, so making sure kids understand about body safety is paramount here,” said Barrett.

The suspect is now being held on a higher than normal $600,000 cash bond pending trial

The BPD investigative team encourages anyone with concerns that their child was a victim to please report to the following:

• Brownsburg Criminal Investigations Unit: 317-852-1109 extension 2123
• Indiana Department of Child Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-800-5556