About 1,200 children are being urged to undergo testing for infectious diseases after a Melbourne childcare worker was charged with a string of offences including child rape. Joshua Dale Brown was arrested in May and, facing 70 charges, is accused of abusing eight children – including a five-month-old – between April 2022 and January 2023.
The 26-year-old had worked at 20 childcare centres since 2017, prompting local health authorities to notify parents of children in his care and recommend tests as a precaution. Brown has not yet entered a plea and remains in custody, with an upcoming court appearance scheduled for September.
The eight alleged victims, all under two years old, attended one childcare centre in a Melbourne suburb. Authorities claim Brown also has pending investigations at another facility in Essendon. The police reveal he held a valid working with children check but was previously unknown to them.
Revealing his identity was seen as necessary due to the unique nature of the case, with police emphasizing that parents should be aware of who he is and where he worked. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath did not disclose if Brown had tested positive for any sexually transmitted infections but noted that some children will be asked to undergo screenings, with treatable infections possible.
Approximately 2,600 families have been contacted, highlighting the widespread impact of the allegations. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her distress over the situation, recognizing the fear and anger felt by families across Victoria. In response, a dedicated website has been established to support impacted families.
