Total charges against alleged childcare pedophile Joshua Dale Brown climb to 156
Former childcare employee Joshua Dale Brown faces 156 charges after police identified more alleged victims in their investigation into sexual assaults at Melbourne centres spanning six years.
Victorian detectives have issued accused pedophile Joshua Dale Brown with an additional 83 charges as part of their investigation into alleged sexual assaults in Melbourne childcare centres, bringing the total number of charges against him to 156.
The charges span a six-year period dating back to 2019, and relate to four additional victims, as well as new charges involving eight previously identified victims, and other matters.
News in July that Mr Brown had been charged with more than 70 offences horrified parents, prompting the Allan government to announce a series of reforms to the childcare sector the day after the charges were revealed, including a register of childcare workers and a ban on the use of private mobile phones in childcare centres.
A “rapid review” of the sector found in August that Victoria’s Working With Children Check scheme was seriously flawed – something the state’s Ombudsman had warned about three years earlier – and the government has subsequently enacted an overhaul.
Victoria Police confirmed the new charges against the 27-year-old in a statement on Thursday, noting they have been working closely with the state health department.
Police said Victoria’s chief health officer had advised no children will require further testing for sexually transmitted infections, after testing was previously recommended for more than 1200 children who had attended the childcare centres involved.
There are 23 childcare centres across Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs where Mr Brown is known to have worked between January 2017 and May 2025, with no new centres identified since July 16.
The four additional victims are understood to have attended three childcare centres, including Nino Early Learning in Point Cook on March 26, 2019, Only About Children in Williamstown on December 1, 2020 and February 22, 2021, and Aussie Kindies Early Learning Centre in Keilor between February 3 and 11, 2025.
Police said the families of the four victims had been notified and provided with “all available support”.
The additional charges laid against Mr Brown on Thursday include six counts of penetration of a child under 12, eight counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, 23 counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, seven counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, seven counts of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to oneself, two counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, eight counts of sexual assault of a child under 16, two counts of attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, two counts of recklessly causing injury, two counts of common law assault, 12 counts of bestiality, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, encouraging a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of possessing a drug of dependence.
Police noted that the bestiality offences were part of a separate investigation, unrelated to any childcare centres.
Mr Brown, who has been in custody since May 12, is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 10.
Police said their investigation, led by detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad, remained ongoing and active.
A dedicated website has been established by the Victorian government with a full list of Mr Brown’s employment locations and dates, as well as support and information for impacted families and communities.
Police are urging anyone with further information about the matter to contact Crime Stoppers on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or via 1800 333 000.
Premier Jacinta Allan said that like Victorian parents, she was “angry and distressed” by the additional allegations.
“My thoughts are with the impacted families, and all Victorian families who are dealing with this news,” Ms Allan said.
The Premier highlighted her government’s strengthening of the Working with Children Check and establishment of a new, independent regulator for the early childhood sector, as well as changes to federal legislation regulating early childhood services.
