About 1,200 children in Victoria are being urged to undergo testing for infectious diseases after a troubling series of allegations against a Melbourne childcare worker, Joshua Dale Brown. Brown, 26, was arrested in May and faces a total of 70 charges, which include child rape and assault, with accusations involving eight underage victims, one as young as five months old.
Having worked at around 20 childcare centers since 2017, Brown's situation has prompted local health authorities to alert parents of children who may have been in his care. They are recommending screening as a precautionary measure. He has not yet entered a plea and remains in custody, awaiting a forthcoming court appearance in September.
The alleged offenses took place between April 2022 and January 2023 at a single childcare center located in a Melbourne suburb, with police expanding their investigation to assess claims of wrongdoing at another center in Essendon. Authorities emphasized the necessity of revealing Brown's identity, describing the case as indicative of a unique and pressing circumstance.
Detectives have confirmed that Brown had a valid working with children check at the time of his arrest and that he was previously unknown to them. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath stated that while he would not disclose if Brown tested positive for sexually transmitted infections, the nature of the allegations warrants health screenings for the affected children.
The situation is deeply distressing to many, with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressing her outrage and sympathy for the families impacted by the situation. She acknowledged that many parents would understandably feel fear and anger, prompting the establishment of a dedicated website to assist those affected. Families across the state are grappling with this unsettling news as the investigation continues.
