A mental health worker who was fired after being criminally charged with sexual enticement of a minor is entitled to collect unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled.
State records indicate Gabriel Kelley, 23, of Cedar Rapids, began working as a full-time, community-based lead worker for the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health in July 2025. As part of his duties, Kelley was responsible for overseeing two residential facilities, supervising a staff of direct-support professionals and training new employees.
According to state records, Kelley was fired on June 5, 2026, after being charged with two felonies: sexually enticing a minor under the age of 16 and grooming. He later applied for unemployment benefits, which led to a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Patrick Thomas…