About 1,200 children in Melbourne are being advised to get tested for infectious diseases as part of an urgent health initiative following the arrest of childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown on numerous serious charges, including child rape. The 26-year-old was detained in May and is facing 70 allegations connected to the abuse of eight children, some as young as five months, between April 2022 and January 2023.
Brown’s history as a childcare worker spans multiple facilities, with reports indicating he has been employed in 20 centers since 2017. In response to the deeply concerning situation, local health officials are reaching out to families whose children may have been in Brown's care, recommending testing as a preventative measure.
At this time, Brown has not entered a plea and remains in custody ahead of his upcoming court appearance scheduled for September at Melbourne Magistrates Court. Authorities have disclosed that the eight victims of the alleged abuse were all under two years old and attended a single childcare facility in Melbourne's suburbs. In addition to charges of child rape and sexual assault, Brown is accused of producing and disseminating child abuse materials.
Investigators are prioritizing inquiries into any additional allegations stemming from his time at a childcare centre in Essendon, another suburb of Melbourne. According to police, Brown had a valid working with children check at the time of his arrest, and he was not previously known to law enforcement.
Victoria Police characterized the decision to publicly reveal Brown’s identity as "unusual" but stressed the critical need for parents to be aware of his identity and the locations he worked. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath has indicated that some of the affected children may be asked to undergo screenings for sexually transmitted infections, given the nature of Brown's alleged offenses.
While McGrath did not disclose whether Brown has tested positive for any STIs, he assured families that any resulting infections are treatable with antibiotics. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her deep distress regarding the allegations, asserting that many families will feel anger and fear over the situation. In light of the crisis, a dedicated website has been established to provide resources and support for those directly impacted by the case.
