LEE TOWNSHIP, MI - A Michigan babysitter is facing dozens of charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of children who were in her care from 2013 to 2020.
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On Monday, October 20, Gaila L. Bennett, 63, was arraigned in the 75th District Court in Midland on 24 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 years old, 12 counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 years old, and 12 counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, CBS News reported.
Michigan State Police began investigating Bennett on October 5 when a mother reported that her children had been sexually abused while in Bennett's care. One of the victims alleged the abuse started when she was in kindergarten. According to police, the alleged sexual abuse occurred at Bennett's home between 2013 and 2020.
Bennett was arrested on October 17. Upon searching the home, police seized electronic devices. The victims reported years of abuse and described being photographed and forced into sexual acts, according to WSGW.
Authorities said that the victims completed forensic exams at the Bay County Child Advocacy Center. Mark Reene, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Midland County, said Bennett was a relative of the victims, WNEM reported. "The number of children who are subjected to sexual abuse is certainly [high]. Numbers are one in eight girls and one in four boys, unfortunately," Reene said.
Bennett remains in Midland County Jail on a $5 million bond and is due back in court on November 4. The incident remains under investigation, and MSP said that more charges could come. Reene said there could also be more suspects or victims. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call Trooper Patrick Roy at 989-280-7189.
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On Monday, October 20, Gaila L. Bennett, 63, was arraigned in the 75th District Court in Midland on 24 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 years old, 12 counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 years old, and 12 counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, CBS News reported.
Michigan State Police began investigating Bennett on October 5 when a mother reported that her children had been sexually abused while in Bennett's care. One of the victims alleged the abuse started when she was in kindergarten. According to police, the alleged sexual abuse occurred at Bennett's home between 2013 and 2020.
Bennett was arrested on October 17. Upon searching the home, police seized electronic devices. The victims reported years of abuse and described being photographed and forced into sexual acts, according to WSGW.
Authorities said that the victims completed forensic exams at the Bay County Child Advocacy Center. Mark Reene, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Midland County, said Bennett was a relative of the victims, WNEM reported. "The number of children who are subjected to sexual abuse is certainly [high]. Numbers are one in eight girls and one in four boys, unfortunately," Reene said.
Bennett remains in Midland County Jail on a $5 million bond and is due back in court on November 4. The incident remains under investigation, and MSP said that more charges could come. Reene said there could also be more suspects or victims. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call Trooper Patrick Roy at 989-280-7189.
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Comments
2025-10-26T18:01-0400 | Comment by: James
Life without parole!
2025-10-27T12:47-0400 | Comment by: Clint
Great report and badly needed to show the depth of sexual abuse of children . Thank you.