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Babysitter sexually abused children over 7-year period, Michigan cops say

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The nurse faces 47 criminal charges, authorities said.

The nurse faces 47 criminal charges, authorities said.

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A 63-year-old babysitter is accused of abusing children in her care over a seven-year period, Michigan authorities say.

Parents came forward to Michigan State Police troopers about the alleged abuse of their children, which they said took place from 2013 to 2020, according to an Oct. 21 news release.

They said the abuse occurred in the home of their kids’ babysitter, Gaila L. Bennett, of Midland, state police said.

One of the children said Bennett sexually abused her nearly every day she watched her beginning when she was in kindergarten, according to court records obtained by the Midland Daily News.

Another victim said that when she was a third grader, Bennett began assaulting her on a bed in her basement, the station reported.

Bennett is also accused of rubbing soap in the children’s eyes, then sexually assaulting them in the shower, WJRT reported, citing court documents.

“The victims told investigators that Bennett gave them an unknown medication, made the children take unclothed showers, climbed in the shower with them naked and created images of them in sexually explicit poses,” the complaint said, according to WJRT.

Troopers executed a search warrant in Bennett’s home and seized electronic devices for evidence, state police said.

Investigators said Bennett was arrested and arraigned Oct. 21 on 47 criminal sexual conduct charges.

More charges are possible, troopers said. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 989-280-7189.

Midland is about a 130-mile drive northwest from Detroit.

Mike Stunson

Lexington Herald-Leader

Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. He is a 2011 Western Kentucky University graduate who has previously worked at the Paducah Sun and Madisonville Messenger as a sports reporter and the Lexington Herald-Leader as a breaking news reporter. 

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Mike Stunson

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