Melbourne Child Care Worker Arrested For Rape, 1200 Children To Be Tested For Disease
- Staff Writer
- Jul 1
- 5 min read
A 26-year-old man from Point Cook has been charged with more than 70 offences, sending shockwaves through the community.
Joshua Dale Brown was arrested in May following a major Victoria Police investigation into alleged sexual assaults at multiple Melbourne childcare centres.
The authorities have contacted over 2600 families and urged over 1200 children to undergo testing for infectious diseases.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was "sickened" by the allegations. "My heart breaks for the families who are living every parent's worst nightmare," Allan said.
Brown Charged With Over 70 Child Sex Offences
Joshua Brown, a former childcare worker, was arrested on 12 May 2025 after detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad linked him to a series of alleged offences involving eight victims at a Point Cook childcare centre.
The alleged incidents occurred between April 2022 and January 2023. The charges against Brown are extensive and 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 the presence of a child under 16, and multiple offences related to the production, possession, and transmission of child abuse material using a carriage service.
Brown has also been charged with recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. Brown has been remanded in custody since his arrest and is scheduled to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 September 2025.
Victoria Police Widens Investigation To Other Child Care Centres
The police investigation has revealed that Brown worked at 20 different childcare centres across Melbourne and Victoria between January 2017 and May 2025.
While the current charges relate to alleged offences at a single centre in Point Cook, detectives are actively examining evidence of alleged offending at a second centre in Essendon, which has been prioritised as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have emphasised that, at this stage, all known alleged offences occurred in Victoria, and there is no evidence to suggest any other staff member at any centre is implicated.
However, families with children enrolled at any of the 20 centres during Brown’s employment are being contacted as a precaution and to ensure they have access to support and information.
Support for Families
The Victorian Government, in collaboration with multiple agencies including the Department of Health, Commission for Children and Young Persons, Family Safety Victoria, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Gatehouse, Department of Education, and the Royal Children’s Hospital, has established a dedicated website to provide up-to-date information and resources for impacted families.
The website includes a full list of affected centres and the periods during which Brown was employed at each location.
Families of the eight identified victims have been notified and are receiving support services. Acting Commander Janet Stevenson of Victoria Police’s Crime Command acknowledged the distressing nature of the investigation, stating,
“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”.
Commander Stevenson urged anyone with information—whether parents, former colleagues, or community members—to contact Crime Stoppers.
“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”.
Did Your Child Attend One Of The Listed Child Care Centres
Victoria Police have stressed the priority of identifying all potential victims and ensuring their families are supported. Investigators are working closely with other agencies to provide comprehensive updates and welfare services to those affected.
The Department of Health and Victoria Police said they have contacted "families whose children attended the childcare centres at the same time that the alleged offender was employed."
"This includes those who may have been exposed to an infectious disease, and may be recommended to undergo testing as a precaution."
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.
It is also possible that those recommended for testing have had no exposure. Symptoms of infectious diseases aren’t always obvious, which is why for those potentially exposed we’re recommending testing as a precaution.
Call the dedicated advice line on 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8 am to 9 pm weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm weekends) to discuss whether your child is recommended for testing and advice on where you can book a free test near you. If preferred, you can also book an appointment with a GP.
The Listed Child Care Centres Where Joshua Brown Worked
Service and suburb | Known employment dates |
Nino Early Learning Adventures - Point Cook | 15 Jan 2017 to 9 Jun 2019 |
Explorers Early Learning – Point Cook | 18 Aug 2019 to 27 Oct 2019 Casual work: 10 Nov 2019 & 22 Dec 2019 |
Adventurers Education - Wyndham Vale | 25 Nov 2019 to 24 Jul 2020 |
Only About Children - Williamstown | 28 Oct 2020 to 30 Mar 2021 |
Wallaby Childcare Centre - Sanctuary Lakes | 13 Apr 2021 to 25 May 2021 |
Nido Early Learning School - Werribee | 21 Jun 2021 to 16 Jul 2021 |
Creative Gardens - Point Cook | 28 Oct 2021 to 2 Feb 2024 |
Leopold World of Learning - Leopold | 9 Feb 2023 to 13 Feb 2023 |
Greenwood - Point Cook | 14 Feb 2023 to 10 Mar 2023 |
Little Blossoms Child Care Centre - Werribee | 14 Aug 2023 to 17 Aug 2023 |
D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children - Footscray | 1 Mar 2024 to 30 Apr 2024 |
Aussie Kindies Early Learning - Sunbury | 13 Aug 2024 to 21 Aug 2024 |
Milestones Early Learning - Werribee | 14 Aug 2024 to 16 Aug 2024 |
Milestones Early Learning - Hoppers Crossing | 19 Aug 2024 to 19 Aug 2024 |
Papilio Early Learning - Hoppers Crossing | 22 Aug 2024 to 12 Mar 2025 |
Kids Academy - Melton | 12 Sep 2024 to 12 Sep 2024 |
Kids Academy - Kensington | 7 Oct 2024 to 9 Oct 2024 |
Aussie Kindies Early Learning - Keilor | 11 Feb 2025 to 11 Feb 2025 |
Papilio Early Learning - Essendon | 17 Feb 2025 to 9 May 2025 |
Milestones Early Learning - Bundoora | 8 May 2025 to 8 May 2025 |
How To Seek Support Or Provide Information
Any families who believe they may be impacted, or who have concerns or information relevant to the investigation, are encouraged to visit the Victorian Government’s dedicated website for updates and support resources.
The website provides guidance on the investigation, details about affected centres, and links to health and counselling services.
Community members with information that could assist police are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.
For further information and updates, families and the community are advised to consult the Victorian Government’s official website and to reach out to available support services as needed.
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