Infants as young as five months among victims – 1200 families urged to seek medical testing
A 26-year-old man from Point Cook has been charged with more than 70 sexual offences, including child rape and the production of child abuse material, in a case that has rocked Melbourne’s childcare sector.
Joshua Brown, who worked at 20 different early learning centres between 2018 and 2025, is accused of committing serious offences while employed at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook between October 2021 and February 2024.
Police confirmed that the charges relate to eight children aged between five months and two years. Offences include sexual penetration of a child under 12, possession and transmission of child abuse material, and reckless contamination of goods intended to cause alarm.
Brown, who previously held a valid Working With Children Check, was unknown to police prior to this investigation. His home was raided in May, following intelligence which launched a major operation by Victoria Police’s sexual crimes squad.
Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath said more than 1200 children are being urged to undergo testing for communicable diseases as a precaution. “This is a distressing public health scenario,” he said.
Education Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has called for the introduction of a national educator register, while Premier Jacinta Allan said the case “makes parents feel sick to their stomachs” and foreshadowed tightening of Working With Children Check requirements.
Acting Commander Janet Stevenson described the case as “devastating” and confirmed that the investigation continues as a top priority, with more than 2600 families contacted so far.
Police released Brown’s name after successfully lifting a suppression order, citing public safety concerns. He remains in custody and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15.
