Former Jersey Shore Elementary janitor charged with inappropriate physical contact with multiple students
Trending
The Lycoming Regional Police Department arrested Dakota Gardner, a janitorial employee assigned to Jersey Shore Elementary School, following an investigation into allegations of unlawful physical contact involving multiple elementary aged students, according to a news release from the police department.
On Oct. 16, 2026, the Lycoming Regional Police Department received a Child Line report alleging inappropriate physical contact between Gardner and a student at Jersey Shore Elementary School. The investigation was conducted by the Lycoming Regional Police Department School Resource Officer assigned to the Jersey Shore Area School District, the news release added.
“During the course of the investigation, police interviewed multiple students and reviewed school security footage. Investigators identified evidence that Gardner allegedly engaged in repeated unwanted physical contact with several students while on school property. Based upon the investigation, criminal charges were approved by the Lycoming County District Attorney's Office and Gardner was arrested. Gardner was arraigned in front of a Magisterial District Judge and released on $50,000.00 bail,” the news release said.
Upon receiving the initial report from law enforcement, the Jersey Shore Area School District immediately suspended Gardner from his position pending the outcome of the investigation. Gardner is no longer permitted access to district facilities, students or school activities at this time, according to Lycoming Regional Police.
The investigation determined that Gardner had been employed by the district since the summer of 2026 as a janitorial staff member. The alleged incidents occurred inside Jersey Shore Elementary School and involved multiple students, according to the department’s news release.