2 Charged In Connection With Sexual Assault Of A Minor: Danbury PD

DANBURY, CT — Two people were charged Tuesday with sexual assault of a child, according to police.

The charges came following an investigation "into allegations of sexual abuse of a child" that began in September, Danbury Police Detective Lt. Mark Williams said in an email.

The suspects were taken into custody by members of the Danbury Police Department's Special Victims Unit, assisted by the Danbury Police Department Special Investigations Unit and Homeland Security, at around 1:30 p.m.

Kenneth Gardner, 51, was charged with first-degree sexual assault with force, three counts of first-degree sexual assault, five counts of third-degree sexual assault-incest, five counts of risk of injury to a minor-sexual contact, third-degree conspiracy to commit sexual assault-incest, first degree criminal attempt to commit sexual assault with force, and criminal attempt to commit third-degree sexual assault-incest.

Lisa Gardner, 51, was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit sexual assault, first degree criminal liability-sexual assault, and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor-sexual contact.

Kenneth Gardner was held on a $750,000 bond, while Lisa Gardner was held on a $300,000 bond, according to police.