Day care worker appeals criminal conviction

An Indianapolis man is appealing his conviction and prison sentence over taking explicit photos of a 4-year-old girl at the north-side day care where he worked.

Ali Al-Awadi, 22, was convicted in February of three counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, according to court records. He was sentenced in June to 27 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt also ordered Al-Awadi to pay $9,000 in restitution, register as a sex offender and undergo treatment for sexual disorders "due to his sexual attraction to children."

In a statement to the judge, Al-Awadi said he is a "God-fearing young man" and that the circumstances of the case don't reflect who he is.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department found photos of a female child's bare genitals on Al-Awadi's phone while investigating allegations that he molested a 4-year-old girl in 2014.​

Al-Awadi still faces other related charges in Marion Superior Court.

He was charged with a felony count of child molesting in the incident at Children's Choice Learning Center at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, court records show. If convicted, he faces up to 16 additional years in prison.

The 4-year-old girl told other caregivers at the day care that "Mr. Ali" had put his finger inside her during nap time. Those caregivers didn't report the girl's accusation to authorities until nearly 20 hours later, according to court records. Al-Awadi, who denied touching the girl, was allowed to continue caring for children for at least three hours after the 4-year-old reported it.

The day care closed last year.

Al-Awadi also faces a misdemeanor charge of violation of privacy. He's accused of violating a court order that prohibited him from having any contact with children while the child molesting case was pending. Marion County prosecutors said Al-Awadi had been living with his underage sister.

Both Marion Superior Court cases are pending.

Call IndyStar reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski at (317) 444-6135. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyMarisaK.

Report suspected child abuse or neglect

If you suspect a child has been or is being abused, contact your local police department immediately or call the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 800-5556.