Joshua Brown, 26, charged over string of sexual assaults at Melbourne childcare centre
Police on Tuesday morning revealed they had arrested and charged 26-year-old Joshua Brown with over 70 offences at a Point Cook childcare centre, and are looking into evidence at a second childcare centre as part of a wider investigation.
The alleged offences Mr Brown has been charged with relate to Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre, Point Cook, where he worked between October 2021 and Feburary 2024.
These include: sexual penetration of a child under 12; attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12; sexual assault of a child under 16; sexual activity in presence of a child under 16; produce child abuse material for use through a carriage service; use carriage service to transmit child abuse material; possess child abuse material for use through a carriage service; recklessly contaminate goods to cause alarm or anxiety; use carriage service to offend; use carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self.
Police said the charges relate to eight victims, who were in the care of the Point Cook childcare centre between April 2022 and January 2023.
'The families of the eight victims have been notified and have been provided with all available support services,' police said in a statement.
Authorities said some children could be recommended for screening for infectious diseases due to the manner of the alleged offending.
The full list of the 20 childcare centres Mr Brown worked out between January 2018 and May 2025 has been released 'out of an abundance of caution' and so that 'families and carers can cross check for themselves'.
Nino Early Learning Adventures, Point Cook 15 Jan 2017 – 9 Jun 2019
Explorers Early Learning, Point Cook: 18 Aug 2019 – 27 Oct 2019 Casual work: 10 Nov 2019 & 22 Dec 2019
Adventurers Education, Wyndham Vale: 25 Nov 2019 – 24 Jul 2020
Only About Children, Williamstown: 28 Oct 2020 – 30 Mar 2021
Wallaby Childcare Centre, Sanctuary Lakes: 13 Apr 2021 – 25 May 2021
Nido Early Learning School, Werribee: 21 Jun 2021 – 16 Jul 2021
Creative Gardens, Point Cook: 28 Oct 2021 – 2 Feb 2024
Leopold World of Learning, Leopold: 9 Feb 2023 – 13 Feb 2023
Greenwood, Point Cook: 14 Feb 2023 – 10 Mar 2023
Little Blossoms Child Care Centre, Werribee: 14 Aug 2023 – 17 Aug 2023
D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children, Footscray: 1 Mar 2024 – 30 Apr 2024
Aussie Kindies Early Learning, Sunbury: 13 Aug 2024 – 21 Aug 2024
Milestones Early Learning, Werribee: 14 Aug 2024 – 16 Aug 2024
Milestones Early Learning, Hoppers Crossing: 19 Aug 2024 – 19 Aug 2024
Papilio Early Learning, Hoppers Crossing: 22 Aug 2024 – 12 Mar 2025
Kids Academy, Melton: 12 Sep 2024 – 12 Sep 2024
Kids Academy, Kensington: 7 Oct 2024 – 9 Oct 2024
Aussie Kindies Early Learning, Keilor: 11 Feb 2025 – 11 Feb 2025
Papilio Early Learning, Essendon: 17 Feb 2025 – 9 May 2025
Milestones Early Learning, Bundoora: 8 May 2025 – 8 May 2025
Police said families who had children at the impacted centres during the time of Mr Brown's employment were in the process of being contacted.
'As part of this ongoing investigation, detectives are also examining evidence of an allegation of offending at a second childcare centre which is based in Essendon. This matter is being investigated as a priority,' police said.
Mr Brown was remanded and remains in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15.
'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,' Acting Commander Janet Stevenson 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.
'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.
'There will be people in the community who hear this news and feel very concerned about their own children. Parents who had a child at a centre at the time of the man's employment are being notified today and a website has been set up by the Victorian Government with further information for impacted families.'
A major press conference will be held over this issue at 9.30am.
The Herald Sun will live stream the press conference to this page.
It will be attended by Premier Jacinta Allan, police minister Anthony Carbines and health officials.
Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam will address the media along with chief heath officer Dr Christian McGrath and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn.
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