In short:
Police laid 83 additional charges against Point Cook man Joshua Brown, confirming four new victims linked to previously identified childcare centres. The investigation remains active, with no new centres added and support services continuing for affected families.
Police Lay Dozens More Charges In Childcare Case
Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad laid a further 83 charges against 27-year-old Point Cook man Joshua Brown as part of their investigation into alleged sexual assaults at Melbourne childcare centres.
Victoria Police confirmed they had been working closely with the Department of Health, and the Chief Health Officer advised that no children required further testing, as testing had previously been recommended for the centres involved.
Police also confirmed there were no new childcare centres identified where Brown had worked. The total number of centres remained at 23, a figure unchanged since 16 July.
The latest charges related to four additional victims, along with further charges connected to the initial eight victims and several other matters. The four additional victims were placed at the following centres:
Nino Early Learning Adventures in Point Cook on 26 March 2019
Only About Children in Williamstown on 1 December 2020 and 22 February 2021
Aussie Kindies Early Learning Centre in Keilor between 3 and 11 February 2025
Police said the families of all four victims had been notified and were receiving support services.
Brown was charged with:
Six counts of penetration of a child under 12
Eight counts of producing child abuse material (CAM) for use through a carriage service
Twenty-three counts of using a carriage service to transmit CAM
Seven counts of using a carriage service to solicit CAM
Seven counts of using a carriage service to cause CAM to be transmitted to himself
Two counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16
Eight counts of sexual assault of a child under 16
Two counts of attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12
Two counts of recklessly causing injury
Two counts of common law assault
Twelve counts of bestiality
Reckless conduct endangering serious injury
Encouraging a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity
Two counts of possessing a drug of dependence
Police stated that the bestiality offences formed part of a separate investigation unrelated to childcare centres.
In total, Brown had been charged with 156 offences. He had remained in custody since 12 May and was scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10 February 2026.
Detectives said a comprehensive investigation had been underway since the arrest and remained ongoing. A dedicated Victorian government website had been established to provide a full list of Brown’s employment locations and dates, as well as information and support for affected families: www.vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation
It had been confirmed the man worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025, and this list had not changed since 16 July.
Police continued working with a range of agencies including the Department of Health, Commission for Children and Young People, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Gatehouse, Department of Education, and the Royal Children’s Hospital to ensure appropriate support remained in place and that families were given as much information as possible.
All childcare providers involved continued to cooperate fully with police.
Anyone with further information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or via 1800 333 000.
