11 hours ago
6
A Melbourne childcare worker has been charged with more than 70 offences after allegedly sexually abusing eight children in his care.
Victoria police issued a statement on Tuesday confirming they charged 26-year-old Point Cook man Joshua Brown last month with offences including sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16 and producing child material for use through a carriage service.
They said the charges relate to eight alleged victims, who were placed at a childcare centre in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Brown was remanded and has remained in custody since his arrest on 12 May.
He will appear at Melbourne magistrate court on 15 September.
Police said a significant investigation has taken place since Brown’s arrest, led by detectives from the sexual crimes squad.
They said it has been established that Brown worked at 20 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025. They allege there is evidence of offending at a second childcare centre in the northern suburbs, which is being “investigated as a priority”.
The Victorian government has set up a website listing the centres and the known employment dates of Brown.
Families who had children placed at relevant centres during the time of Brown’s employment are in the process of being contacted to ensure appropriate support and welfare services are provided.
This work involves the department of health, the department of families, fairness and housing, the department of education, the Commission for Children and Young Persons, Family Safety Victoria, Gatehouse and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Police said at this stage it is believed all alleged offending occurred within Victoria. They said there is no evidence at this time to suggest any other staff member at any centre is involved.
A press conference will be held by police and the Victorian government on Tuesday morning.
Acting police commander, Janet Stevenson, said it was “an incredibly distressing and confronting investigation for all involved”.
“I know many members of the community will hear this news and feel enormously concerned. The most important thing for our investigators was that we needed to identify the [alleged] victims involved,” Stevenson said in a statement.
“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.”
Cmdr Stevenson urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
More details soon …
