Childcare worker faces 70 charges, including rape

A child care worker was accused of dozens of child sex crime and launched a wider investigation into his roles in other centers.

Joshua Brown, 26, was accused of more than 70 crimes with eight victims at a Point Cook west of Melbourne from April 2022 to January 2023 on May 12th.

Sexual penetration of a child under 12 years of age, sexual penetration of a child under the age of 12, sexual assault of a child under the age of 16, sexual activity and child abuse materials were among the most serious accusations producing child abuse materials.

The families of the eight alleged victims of the Point Cook Cook Man were informed and access to support services were provided.

The arrest led to a wider investigation of the sexual criminal team, which found that he was working in 20 child care centers between January 2017 and May 2025.

Centers are mostly located to the west of the city.

Among the suburbs include Point Cook, Wyndham Vale, Williamstown, Sanctuary Lakes, Werribe, Leopold, Footscray, Sunbury, Hoppers Crossing, Melton, Kensington, Keilor, Essendon and Bundoora.

A claim accused in a second child care center in Essendon has been made and under the police investigation.

In order to access support and prosperity services, families placed in centers during employment are contacted.

The police believe that all the alleged crimes are in Victoria, and there is no evidence to claim that other personnel are involved.

Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said that many members of the community would hear this news and feel very worried.

“We know that there are potentially people who have information about this investigation,” he said.

“This may be people who have children in a center where the man works, or who may have worked with him and who realize certain behaviors.

“If you have information, we want you to contact you with crime taps.”

He stays at Brown Remand and is expected to face the court on September 15th.

1800 Respect (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Correction Support Service 1800 211 028