20-year-old Austin Hapner will be facing up to a dozen new charges after previously being charged with nine felony counts. Kent County prosecutors say they plan on adding nine new counts of aggravated child sexually abusive activity, among others.
Earlier this month, Hapner was formally charged with three counts of aggravated child sexually abusive activity, three counts of distributing or promoting child sexually abusive activity, and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime.
Hapner previously worked at Gro Childcare Academy in Grand Rapids for parts of 2025 and 2026. He was also employed at the Children’s Enrichment Center on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus after June of this year.
According to court documents, police claim to have found hundreds of videos and photos on Hapner’s electronic devices depicting child sexually abusive material. Investigators say some of those are believed to have occurred “during the course of his employment in a position of authority over the children.”
A preliminary examination is scheduled for October 15th.
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