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WhatsappA childcare worker in Melbourne, Australia, was charged in May 2025 for 70 alleged cases of child sexual abuse, including child rape.

The victims were between five months and two years old, 9News reported.

What happened

Joshua Dale Brown, 26, was accused of sexually abusing eight children between April 2022 and January 2023, and for possessing child abuse material.

Among the sexual abuse charges were sexual penetration of a child under 12 and sexual assault of a child under 16, 9News said.

Brown is believed to have acted alone.

His eight alleged victims attended Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in South-West Melbourne where he worked at the time, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

He was reportedly arrested on May 12 after police allegedly found him to be in possession of child abuse material.

While it was not disclosed how Brown’s other crimes came to light, Victoria Police Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said it was “not sparked by a complaint to police”, 9News reported.

“This matter is being investigated as a priority,” Victoria Police said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Brown is currently being held in police custody and has yet to enter a plea to the charges.

He is due to appear in court on Sep. 15.

File photo via The Sydney Morning Herald

Extensive childcare employment

Brown had worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne between January 2017 and May 2025 on a valid Working with Children Check, a compulsory screening process for those in child-related work. 

His Check has since been cancelled.

The Victorian government published a list of childcare centres where Brown had previously worked, ranging from Melbourne’s western suburbs to Geelong, a port city outside of Melbourne.

“He may have held other roles throughout his employment, though”, Stevenson said.

Stevenson also told Australian media that the decision to publish Brown’s name and employment history was an “unusual” one, but was necessary to allow parents to be informed.

On top of his current charges, police are also investigating another allegation of abuse by Brown at another childcare centre in Essendon, North-West Melbourne.

1,200 children to be tested for STI

Due to Brown’s extensive childcare employment history, local health authorities contacted about 2,600 families of children potentially previously under Brown’s care at childcare centres on the published list.

Of these, 1,200 children were recommended free infectious disease tests.

It was not confirmed whether Brown tested positive for any sexually transmitted infections (STI).

However, Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Christian McGrath told Guardian Australia that there was no broader public health risk, and the potential infections could be treated with antibiotics.

He also said there was a “low risk” of the children being infected, but that authorities wanted to provide assurance to parents about the health and wellbeing of their children.

Affected families were also provided with a dedicated advice and support hotline for assistance on health and screening information, and links to support services, said The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Sickened” by the allegations

Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan said she was “sickened” by the allegations.

“They are shocking and distressing, and my heart just breaks for the families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare”, she said, according to Guardian Australia.

Allan also promised a review of Working with Children Checks, and will introduce changes from August 2025 to tighten screening.

Victoria’s Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn added that stronger, mandatory child safety measures had been passed by Australia’s education ministers, but actions were not being taken quickly enough.

One parent at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre told The Sydney Morning Herald that she was “mad” when she received the authorities’ letter alleging the abuse, as she had seen Brown multiple times.

She was most concerned about when could have been happening behind closed doors.

“It’s just the thought as a parent that will haunt me forever,” she said.

Top image via Linda Xu/Unsplash

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