More Charges Expected for Child Care Worker Following Arrest

A 22-year-old Avon man employed at a Brownsburg child care center is accused of inappropriate conduct with children under his care, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by a detective with Brownsburg Police Department. Online court records showed no criminal charges yet filed against Gabriel E. Garner in Hendricks Superior Court 4.

Capt. Jennifer Barnett, a spokeswoman for the Brownsburg police, said that the department has been “inundated with walk-ins, calls, and emails from scared and concerned parents who believe their child is/was a potential victim.”

Brownsburg Detective Sgt. Tim Wells said in the court documents that Garner is accused of inappropriate conduct with children under his care.

“BROWNSBURG, Ind. — A horrific case of sexual abuse at Main Street University 4 Kidz
daycare has left multiple families shattered, and the public reeling. Attorneys Tammy Meyer and
Catherine Michael have been retained to represent some of the families whose children were
allegedly victimized by daycare employee Gabriel Garner, who was arrested this week after law
enforcement uncovered more than 125,000 images of sexual exploitation directly linked to the
daycare facility.

“‘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.’

“Court documents reveal that Garner, a former intern turned employee of the daycare, is accused of
engaging in sexual acts with children and capturing those acts on his personal phone. Police
indicated that many of the photos were geo-tagged to the daycare, and Garner has been connected
to a broader online child pornography ring. His demeanor during police interviews smiling,
laughing, and showing no remorse has only deepened the public outrage and the outrage of the
families whose children have been victimized.

“‘This was not just a failure by one individual. This was a failure of supervision, safety, training,
and a systemic failure to follow the law,’ said Tammy Meyer. ‘The managements alleged refusal
to notify the authorities after receiving warnings is a clear failure to report suspected abuse. These
children were left vulnerable knowingly and that is unforgivable. The families we represent are
grieving, furious, and determined. And they will be heard.’

“According to police reports, multiple parents had voiced concerns about Garner’s inappropriate
behavior some even reporting it to staff directly. But the daycare, relying on internal ‘investigations,’ allegedly discouraged families from contacting authorities and failed to report the concerns to the Indiana Department of Child Services.

“‘This is a textbook example of institutional failure,’ Michael said. ‘It is also a call to action for
every legislator, prosecutor, and regulator to re-examine how Indiana protects children in licensed
care,’ Meyer continued.

“Attorneys Michael and Meyer are pursuing legal action on behalf of affected families and are also
calling on the State of Indiana to strengthen enforcement of mandatory reporting laws and
oversight of childcare providers.”

Connell Michael law firm on May 8, 2025

The affidavit also details multiple allegations against Garner, including inappropriate touching of a 5-year-old girl and asking another child to kiss him. Additionally, Garner allegedly sent an inappropriate text message to a colleague about her 3-year-old daughter.

A teacher at the child care center had reported the incidents involving the 3-year-old and the 5-year-old to the Indiana Department of Child Services after realizing they had not been previously reported by the staff.

The investigation revealed that Garner, known as “Mr. Gabe” to the children, had been working at the child care center since 2021. Allegations against him date back to November, when a child disclosed to her parents that Garner had asked her to touch his private parts.

Despite the serious allegations, the child care center staff, including owner Nancy Milton and manager Jennifer Lingbeck, reportedly did not report the incidents to law enforcement or Child Services at the time. The police department announced it's planning additional criminal charges, and the child care center has been closed.

Brownsburg police arrested Garner on Tuesday on preliminary counts of molesting a child younger than 14, and child exploitation. Attorneys Tammy Meyer and Catherine Michael with the Carmel law firm Connell Michael have been hired by some of the families whose children attended the child care center, and will pursue legal action for them.