Bob Kasarda

VALPARAISO — Police say a young Porter County girl revealed during the start of the new school year that she had been sexually abused about 100 times by a man she knows.

Officials say that man is Mark Gamboa, 35, of Chesterton, who is charged with six felony counts of child molesting.

The allegations came to light in late August when the girl reportedly told someone during a life skills class at school that she had been sexually abused by Gamboa, according to a charging document.

The abuse allegedly began in 2023, the girl reportedly told investigators.

Three of the charges are Level 1 felonies, which carry a potential sentence of 20 to 40 years behind bars, records show.

Gamboa appeared to remain in custody early Tuesday afternoon at the Porter County Jail on a $75,000 c

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