A Chicago man could face decades behind bars for molesting two preteen kids.
Brian P. Gartlan, 40, was charged Aug. 29 with seven felonies, including five counts of child molesting and one count of distribution or exhibition of obscene matter.
He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.
If convicted, he faces, at maximum, just over 160 years. The case was unsealed Friday after he was extradited from Chicago.
Gartlan posted a $50,000, or $5,000 cash surety bond on Tuesday. His next court date is Nov. 14 before Judge Natalie Bokota.
Schererville Police estimated the abuse happened between October 2023 and June 2024.
The mother told investigators that she put her elementary school age daughter in therapy after the girl’s behavior started to change. There, the child confided that Gartlan abused her while a younger brother was nearby in the room.
He also fondled that child, she said.
In a therapy session on June 5, the child said she wanted Gartlan to “stop touching her.” She took a doll and showed how Gartlan was abusing her.
The therapist called the Indiana Department of Child Services.
During a later forensic interview, the girl said Gartlan told her not to tell anyone.
Gartlan said he was “rather not” talk to investigators.
“Straight up, man-to-man for your investigation, I did not (abuse the victim). I can go to prison for 24 years and I’ll be raped and murdered,” he said. “I am not built for prison, dude.”
