The owner of Keystone WISP, Bradford PC Repair and several other small businesses in the region, Brian Allan Garges, was arrested Monday by the Bradford City Police for simple assault, harassment, and endangerment of several children under his supervision.

Garges, 33, was arrested for incidents dating back to July 18, 2022, police said.

According to a criminal complaint, a report of suspected child abuse had been filed through ChildLine against Garges in August.

Officers conducted thorough investigations as well as communicated with the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County to hold forensic interviews with juveniles allegedly assaulted by Garges.

The interviews, held on Aug. 25 and Aug. 30, revealed that a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 9-year-old at various times had been “hit on the bare buttocks with a kitchen spatula,” “hit on the bare buttocks with (Garges’) bare hand,” “hit with a wooden spoon,” “kicked in the lower leg,” and “punched in the upper thigh,” which caused redness and bruises, according to the complaint. Police said one child noted witnessing another lifted by the neck, with the child’s feet off the floor, according to the report.

Officers said they watched videos of the interviews and reviewed photos of the injuries.

Garges is charged with one count of simple assault on a 4-year-old child, who had been struck with an unknown object, which caused severe bruising on both buttocks, and was picked up by his neck with his feet dangling off the ground for some time, according to the complaint.

Garges is also charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of children when a parent/guardian/other commits the offense. According to the complaint, on or about July 18 to July 29, all of the children were in the supervisory care of Garges when the incidents occurred.

He is also charged with four counts of harassment.

On Monday, Magisterial District Court Judge Dominic Cercone held a preliminary hearing and Garges posted the $5,000 bail.