Families file civil complaints against Brownsburg daycare owner, staff

The families of several children who attended a Brownsburg daycare center are suing the owner and staff members, accusing the defendants of failing to protect children from the alleged sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of a caregiver. 

The civil lawsuits come three weeks after the daycare’s owner, Nancy Minton, was sentenced to two years with the Indiana Department of Correction after she pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent (a level 6 felony) and failure to report (a misdemeanor). 

Four lawsuits were filed on behalf of the children on Wednesday in Hendricks Superior Court. The lawsuits name owner Minton, director Jennyfer Lingbeck, caregiver Gabriel Garner and the daycare, Main Street University 4Kidz Inc. and its limited liability corporation, MSU LLC, as defendants.  

“The criminal cases address the serious failures that occurred and that those failures had devastating consequences,” said attorney Catherine Michael. “But these families are entitled to more than criminal convictions. They deserve answers, accountability from every responsible party, and the resources necessary to help their children heal.” 

Minton’s attorney in her criminal case declined to comment on the civil allegations. Attorneys for the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to the lawsuits, both Minton and Lingbeck were approached at least three times with allegations of inappropriate misconduct by Garner with the children.  

In April 2024, it was reported that Garner had asked a preschooler to kiss him. In November 2024, the parents of another preschooler told Minton and Lingbeck that Garner had asked their child to touch him inappropriately. Then in February 2025, both women received a report that Garner had referred to a 3333-year-old child as having a “foot fetish,” according to the complaints.  

At no time did Minton or Lingbeck question Garner or report his actions, according to the lawsuits. Instead, they allegedly asked the parents not to make any reports themselves.  

In April and May 2025, the Indiana Department of Child Services began an investigation into Garner over allegations of child molestation, child exploitation, child pornography and child seduction while he was employed with the daycare.  

The Brownsburg Police Department also began an investigation into Garner. During that investigation, police allegedly found more than 150,000 images on Garner’s phone depicting inappropriate actions with children at the daycare while on the daycare’s premises.  

Eventually, investigators said they discovered that Garner had been sexually assaulting and molesting at least four children, identified in the civil lawsuits as Jane Doe Two, Four, Five and Eight. The four children were between the ages of two and four when the abuse occurred.  

Garner was charged with 30 counts of children exploitation, 14 counts of child molestation, one count of vicarious sexual gratification, one count of possession of child pornography and two counts of public voyeurism. His trial, which was originally scheduled for last July, was cancelled and has not been rescheduled, according to MyCase.  

Lingbeck was charged with three counts of obstruction of justice, three counts of failure to make report and one count of neglect of a dependent. Her trial, which was originally scheduled for August 2025, was cancelled and has not been rescheduled, according to MyCase.  

The civil lawsuits accuse the defendants of negligence, infliction of emotional distress, battery and invasion of privacy (Garner), negligent hiring and several other offenses.  

Attorneys for the plaintiffs are seeking economic and punitive damages.  

The cases are: 

• Jane Doe Eight, John Doe Eight, Julie Doe Eight v. Nancy Minton, Gabriel Garner, Jennyfer Lingbeck et al, 32D01-2605-CT-000092 
• Julie Doe Two Individually and as Parents and Guardians, John Doe Two Individually and as Parents and Guardians, Jane Doe Two, a minor v. Main Street University 4Kidz Inc., Nancy Minton, Jennyfer Lingbeck et al, 32D01-2605-CT-000093 
• Julie Doe Four individually and as Parents and Guardians of, John Doe Four individually and as Parents and Guardians of, Jane Doe Four, a minor v. Main Street University 4Kidz Inc., Nancy Minton, Jennyfer Lingbeck et al, 32D01-2605-CT-000094 
• Jane Doe Five, John Doe Five, Julie Doe Five v. Nancy Minton, Gabriel Garner, Jennyfer Lingbeck et al, 32D01-2605-CT-000095