Joshua Dale Brown at a childcare center before he was arrested for more than 70 child sex offenses for 8 children aged between 5 months and 2 years. Image: Facebook via The Guardian.
(The Post News)– In a growing investigation into alleged pedophile Joshua Dale Brown, Victoria Police have added four more childcare centers to the list of sites where the former childcare worker was employed. As a result, an additional 800 children are now being urged to undergo testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Earlier this month Victoria Police arrested and charged 26-year-old Brown with more than 70 child sex offenses committed against eight children, aged between five months and two years.
It has been revealed that these offenses occurred while Brown was working at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook from April 2022 to January 2023. However, further investigation has revealed that Brown worked at a total of 23 childcare centers across Melbourne between January 2017 and May 2025.
The Victoria Department of Health and Victoria Police have contacted approximately 2,600 families whose children attended these centers during Brown’s employment, recommending that around 1,200 children undergo screening for sexually transmitted infections. The recent additions have raised this number by approximately 800 children.
The four centers that have recently been identified are Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham (29 August 2024); Milestones Early Learning Tarneit (10 and 13 September 2024); Milestones Early Learning Braybrook (4 and 6 December 2024); and Milestones Early Learning Greensborough (5 December 2024, 31 January 2025, and 27 February 2025).
Health officials stress that the risk of infection remains low, and testing is a precautionary measure. While authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific STIs being screened for, information provided to affected families recommends testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, all treatable with antibiotics.
Victoria Police Acting Commander Janet Stevenson sought to comfort concerned parents by reaffirming that the investigation remains Victoria Police’s highest priority. They continue to work through the large volume of information, carefully verifying each detail before using it in the investigation or releasing it to the public.
The case has reignited national conversations in Australia about the role of male workers in the early childhood education sector. In response, Inspire Early Learning has implemented a policy banning male staff from changing nappies or assisting children with toileting duties. The ban applies across all 16 childcare centers operated by the company throughout Victoria.
Brown remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on 15 September 2025. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities warn further updates are likely in the coming weeks.
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