Tests urged for 1200 children after Melbourne childcare worker accused of dozens of 'sickly' child sex offences at multiple daycare centres

Sky News AU

13 hours ago

Victoria Police has launched a sweeping investigation after charging a Melbourne childcare worker with more than 70 sexual offences involving children in his care - and issued a plea to families of more than 1200 potentially affected children to have their kids tested "for infectious diseases".
Joshua Brown, 26, from Point Cook, has been remanded in custody and is set to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 15.
He faces a staggering list of serious charges, including sexual penetration of a child under 12, producing and transmitting child abuse material, and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety.
The offences allegedly occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, where Brown was employed from October 2021 until February 2024.
Police say the charges relate to eight children, all allegedly victimised between April 2022 and January 2023, and that the families of all eight victims had been notified.
The full list of the 20 centres where Brown was employed between January 2018 and May 2025 has been made public in what police describe as a move made "out of an abundance of caution".
The Victorian Department of Health has also activated a public health response, urging parent to have their children screened for infectious diseases, depending on their potential exposure during the period of offending.
'This is a complex and distressing matter, and our highest priority is the health and wellbeing of the children and families who may have been affected,' the department said.
'Not every child who attended the childcare centres listed will be recommended for testing, as they won't have been identified as having a potential exposure risk.'
On Tuesday, Victoria's chief health officer Christian McGrath revealed the horrifying scope of potential infections.
"We have worked with police to identify and contact around 2600 families, parents, children, and carers of children, who have attended the relative childcare centres over [the] accused's [period of] working there," said Dr McGrath.
"As a precaution we are recommending that some children undergo testing for infectious diseases due to risk during that period.
"We do believe it is a low risk but want to offer this to provide assurance to the parents about the health and wellbeing of their children. At this time, we are recommending that around 1200 children undergo testing for infectious diseases.
"We want to assure you that these diseases can be treated with antibiotics."
Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said the investigation had been emotionally difficult for everyone involved.
'This is an incredibly distressing and confronting investigation for all involved and I know many members of the community will hear this news and feel enormously concerned,' she said.
'The most important thing for our investigators was that we needed to identify the victims involved.
'These are some of the most vulnerable members of our community and the conversations police have had to have with their families were no doubt life changing in the worst possible way.'
She said detectives had worked closely with other agencies to ensure information reached those affected as quickly as possible.
'Detectives have been working alongside a range of agencies during this investigation to ensure as much information has been provided to impacted parties as soon as possible.'
Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, Commander Stevenson admitted that Brown was not known to the police prior to the investigation.
'As soon as we identified Brown's offending, he was removed from the community,' she said.
'He had a valid Working with Children check which has since been cancelled.
'We are not suggesting that the accused has offended children in all these centres, but we are encouraging anyone to come forward with any information.
Commander Stevenson also made a direct appeal to the public for assistance.
'We know there are potentially people out there who have information about this investigation that they wish to pass on to police,' she said.
'This may be people who had children at a centre where the man worked or staff who may have worked with him and noticed particular behaviours. If you do have information, then we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers.'
She added that ongoing support for victims and their families remains a top priority.
'There is also a number of support services available for people who have been impacted by this matter. Investigators are working closely with the families of victims to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time.'
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.