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	Religious Academy Teacher Charged with Sexual Abuse By Nate Carlisle ncarlisle@sltrib.com The Salt Lake Tribune [Utah] March 16, 2006 http://sltrib.com/utah/ci_3607147 A Washington County pastor and child care worker admitted to police he fondled, kissed and was sexually attracted to an 11-year-old girl, according to charges filed Wednesday in 5th District Court. Gabriel E. Carlin, 32, was charged with four counts of aggravated child sex abuse, a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. St. George police say the abuse occurred when Carlin, a teacher and pastor at East Harbor Christian Academy in the town of Washington, earlier this year gave an 11-year-old student a ride to her home in St. George. At the girl's home, Carlin asked to see her bedroom, said St. George Police Department spokesman Craig Harding. In the bedroom, Carlin touched the 11-year-old in inappropriate places outside her clothing, Harding said. The girl then made excuses about needing to do work and Carlin left, Harding said. The child later told her parents what occurred and the parents went to police. A probable cause statement filed with the court says the girl claims there were other incidents of abuse at the Christian academy, which also operates the Harbor Kids Child Care. The child told investigators Carlin touched her breasts at least three times and her buttocks more than 50 times. Carlin also once placed his hands down her pants and touched her buttocks, the girl said. When confronted by police, Carlin "admitted to touching the victim as she said happened but claims he never put his hands down her pants," according to the probable cause statement. "He did claim he has a sexual attraction to the victim and had kissed her on the lips on prior occasions," the statement continued. Harding said investigators are trying to determine whether Carlin molested other children and he encouraged parents with children at the school to talk to their kids. But Harding cautioned: "We certainly don't want the parents to lead the children and have the children agree with them." Harbor Kids has been operating since September and is licensed to care for 20 children, said Cody Craynor, a spokesman for Utah Department of Health. Craynor said there have been no citations issued to the day care. Carlin was listed as an owner. Craynor said the health department is waiting for documentation from law enforcement then likely will prohibit Carlin from being at the care center while children are present. The order will be dropped if Carlin's charges are dismissed or he is found not guilty. Calls to the school and Carlin's home were not returned on Wednesday. Carlin on Wednesday was being held in the Purgatory Correctional Facility on a $100,000 bond.
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