Families take legal action against Brownsburg daycare amid child exploitation allegations

BROWNSBURG, Ind. — The families of victims at the center of sexual abuse allegations at a Brownsburg daycare are taking legal action.

According to a news release obtained by FOX59/CBS4 Thursday afternoon, Attorneys Tammy Meyer and Catherine Michael are representing the families of children who police believe were sexually exploited by 22-year-old Gabriel Garner when he was employed at Main Street University 4 Kidz.

According to previous reports, Garner was arrested and booked into the Hendricks County Jail on Tuesday. The jail logs indicate that Garner faces a preliminary charge of molesting a child under 14 years of age.

Court documents detail how Brownsburg police reportedly uncovered hundreds of images depicting Garner allegedly committing sexual acts with children while he worked at the daycare.

In total, investigators recovered over 130 images from Garner’s phone that were geo-tagged at the daycare. The investigation into Garner’s phone also led to the discovery of over 125,000 pornographic images. It remains unclear how many of the 125,000 photos may have been taken at Main Street University 4 Kidz.

Police began investigating Garner in April after receiving a tip that he had allegedly sent inappropriate message to a student’s guardian asking if the guardian had a “foot fetish.” This was reportedly about a child under Garner’s care who kept touching his sock, court documents said.

When he was brought in for questioning, police said Garner was smiling and laughing while discussing the allegations.

While investigating, detectives learned that some members of the daycare had allegedly failed to report Garner’s reported inappropriate behavior to police or the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Following the investigation, Indiana State Police and the Family and Social Services Administration reportedly shut the daycare down Thursday morning.

“We are devastated for these families, and horrified by the magnitude of this abuse,” said
attorney Catherine Michael. “No child should ever endure what these children have suffered,
especially in a daycare setting that is supposed to protect them and ensure their safety. The
betrayal of trust here is unspeakable. The emotional and psychological damage inflicted on these children and their families is incalculable. These aren’t just legal claims they are lives forever changed. These cases will not quietly fade away. We will hold every responsible party
accountable under the full weight of the law.”

According to online court records, Garner is due in Hendricks Superior Court 4 for an initial hearing on Friday.