WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT – Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with sexually abusing eight children aged between five months and two years in a case that has shocked Australia
A child has reportedly contracted an STD after a nursery employee allegedly carried out dozens of sex attacks.
Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with sexually abusing eight children aged between five months and two years in a case that has shocked Australia – as fears grow the accused may have infected hundreds of children. The early childhood educator worked across 23 nurseries in Victoria between January 2017 and May 2025, prompting urgent calls for thousands of children to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Authorities have urged the parents of 2,000 children to have their kids screened following Brown’s arrest on July 1.
According to Daily Mail Australia, one child who attended one of the affected centres has since tested positive for gonorrhoea. The Victoria government denied the report – but the Department of Health did not explicitly rule it out. A spokesperson said: “Test results we’ve received to date as part of this investigation reaffirm that the risk is low.”
Police have not confirmed whether Brown tested positive for any STIs but said the nature of the alleged abuse means precautionary testing is necessary. Tests are ongoing.
Brown is currently facing 73 charges, including sexually penetrating a child, sexual activity in front of a child, contaminating food, sexually touching a child under 16, and creating and distributing child abuse material. Officers believe more charges are likely. He appeared in court on Tuesday and will return in February, after a magistrate granted police more time to investigate.
Parents are demanding answers as to how Brown passed vetting. He held a valid Working with Children Check, despite reportedly being flagged to state authorities two years ago over unrelated concerns. In response, childcare operator G8 Education said it would speed up the installation of security cameras across 400 centres.
Brown’s arrest came while police were investigating another man, Michael Simon Wilson, for the alleged rape of a teenage boy in a nearby area. After looking through Wilson’s devices, officers found material linking him to Brown, ABC reports. Wilson is facing 45 charges including that of rape, bestiality and possessing child abuse material. Both Brown and Wilson pair are yet to enter a plea.
According to police, the majority of Brown’s offences took place at the Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook. The former childcare worker is being represented by top barrister Rishi Nathwani KC, who is trying to have the charges withheld from the media. Magistrate Donna Bakos told Nathwani the charges are already a matter of public record.