‘Loner’: History of childcare worker Joshua Brown revealed

The childcare worker accused of sickening sexual offences is the son of a prison officer who was embroiled in controversy after the death of a woman in custody it can be revealed, as more details come to light on Joshua’s Brown’s history.

The childcare worker accused of sickening sexual offences is the son of a prison officer who was embroiled in controversy after the death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson in custody.

Joshua Brown’s mother is Tracey Brown, who admitted lying about calling a nurse in the hours before Ms Nelson died.

A 2022 inquest heard that as Ms Nelson was screaming in pain and complained of cramps in her legs and fingers, Ms Brown told her to drink fluids and gave her a paracetamol through a trap in her cell door.

The woman was found dead about four hours later.

Tracey Brown, the mother of alleged sex abuser Joshua Brown. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne alleged daycare sex abuser Joshua Brown. Picture: Supplied

Point Cook residents who lived in the street where Mr Brown rented a double-storey home, described him as a “loner”.

He wasn’t invited into the neighbourhood group chat, they said, nor was he someone they spoke much about – until now.

Residents were also unaware that his mother had been part of an incident that had previously rocked the state of Victoria.

Deanna Song and her three-year-old daughter Mia lived mere metres away from the alleged childcare predator, a thought she said now sent shivers down her spine.

“It’s shocking news … it’s scary that it happened so close to me,” she said.

“Sometimes my daughter and neighbour’s little children are down at this park in the middle of all the units.

“We were trying to piece the puzzle together (of his arrest) … and then this morning someone sent the article (in the groupchat),” she said.

Joshua Brown’s home in Point Cook. Picture: David Caird

The home where it’s understood he’d lived several months was empty when the Herald Sun visited Tanner Mews, with bedside tables discarded on the front lawn of the property he shared with another man.

Despite his distinctive tattoos and piercings, many neighbours could not recall what he looked like or his personality.

“We didn’t know much about him … I didn’t have any conversations, not like with my other neighbours,” Ms Song said.

Ms Song, herself an early learning centre employee, said: “I’ve worked in centres where I haven’t felt safe and I know that the children in there are not safe.”

“Some parents emphasise the education and the quality, some parents emphasise the marketing, like if they have parties … and graduation ceremonies.”

Mr Brown’s mother was a prison guard on night shift at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on January 1, 2020, when Ms Nelson died.

She had been lodged at the Deer Park women’s jail on remand over shoplifting and bail offences late on New Year’s Eve after being arrested in the CBD.

MJr Brown’s Point Cook neighbour Deanna Song, who is an early learning educator, with her daughter Mia. Picture: David Caird

The 37-year-old was given pain relief through a trap in her cell door in the early hours of the morning.

She used her Yarra unit cell’s intercom system nine times after that to call for help and was told by Ms Brown at 3.33am that nothing more could be done to help her.

Staff found Ms Nelson’s lifeless body about 7.30am.

It was believed she had been dead for hours.

A medical examination later found she had a serious, undiagnosed gastrointestinal condition.

During the inquest, Ms Brown was asked by counsel for Ms Nelson whether she should have gone and checked on her.

“I wish I had,” she replied.

Ms Brown, who tried to have her identity suppressed during the proceedings, is believed to now be working at the Ravenhall Correctional Centre, a men’s jail in Melbourne’s western suburbs.