A man who previously worked with an after-school program with an elementary school in Ypsilanti is now being charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.
Levi Gardner, 20, began working at the Perry Child Development Center through Eastern Michigan University’s Bright Futures Program during the 2019 winter semester. Gardner will be facing many felonies in connection with the alleged assault. Sources have said that Gardner allegedly sexually assaulted the girl multiple times in 2016 and 2017. Officials believe that there could be more victims.
Gardner is being represented by the Public Defender and his bond has been set at $100,000 cash.
According to Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Steven Hiller, Gardner’s probable cause conference is currently set for 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 19 and his preliminary examination is set for Sept. 26, 2019 at 9 a.m. Both will be held at the 14A-1 District Court at the Washtenaw County Service Center.
Gardner did not have a criminal history and passed background checks for Bright Futures.
“These incidents have no connection to Eastern Michigan University, and no incidents that we have been made aware of occurred during his brief time associated with the University,” said Geoffrey Larcom, EMU’s executive director of media relations. “The University did two comprehensive background checks on this individual and both background checks were clean. The University had no knowledge of these allegations, and it received no complaints about his work.”
Larcom said Gardner was always supervised when working on site and is not employed with the University, nor was he ever a student.
If any member of the public believes that they or their child has been assaulted by Gardner, they should contact Jessica Lowry at the Ypsilanti Police Department (734) 483-9510.
