Joshua Brown childcare horror widens: 83 new charges, four more alleged victims

Accused pedophile Joshua Brown has been slapped with 83 more charges, with four new alleged victims emerging from his time spent at Victorian childcare centres.

Accused childcare predator Joshua Brown has been charged with an extra 83 offences with the number of young alleged victims increasing from eight to 12.

Sex crime detectives on Thursday slapped Mr Brown with a further 83 charges after another four alleged victims were identified to have been abused at three Melbourne childcare centres.

Those four new alleged victims were in Mr Brown’s care at three centres in Melbourne’s west.

They attended: the Nino Early Learning Adventures in Point Cook on March 26 in 2019, Only About Children in Williamstown on December 1 in 2020 and February 22 in 2021 and Aussie Kindies ELC in Keilor between February 3 and 11 of this year.

“The families of the four (alleged) victims have been notified and have been provided with all available support services,” police said in a statement.

The other eight alleged victims, who were identified earlier this year, attended Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.

Accused childcare predator Joshua Brown. Picture: Supplied

Mr Brown’s new charges, laid on Thursday morning, include six counts of penetration of a child under 12 and eight counts of sexual assault of a child under 16.

He also faces eight counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service and 23 counts of use of a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.

Mr Brown was also charged with 12 counts of bestiality, which are part of a separate police investigation.

“Today’s charges relate to an additional four victims as well as further charges laid in relation to the initial eight victims and some additional matters,” the police statement continued.

The 27-year-old accused pedophile now faces 156 criminal charges.

Victoria’s chief health officer advised that no children would require further testing as “testing has previously been recommended for the childcare centres involved”.

There are also no new childcare centres identified where the accused had previously worked at.

Arnold Thomas and Becker is representing eight of Mr Brown’s 12 alleged victims.

“The parents are really struggling,” principal lawyer Jodie Harris said.

“Steps are being taken on behalf of families. Legal proceedings against a number of parties are being prepared, but it is important to remember this is an ongoing investigation of a very large magnitude, with the potential for yet more charges to be brought against Joshua Brown.

“You could really see the scale of the impact that one person has had. Some families are unable to return to work because they can no longer entrust their children to childcare. Others are grappling with ongoing uncertainty, fear and guilt.”

Affinity Education Group – the parent company of Aussie Kindies ELC – on Thursday rallied around its staff and families at the Keilor.

Newly appointed chief executive Glen Hurley has flown to Melbourne to provide his support.

An Affinity Education spokeswoman said they were deeply distressed by the further charges laid against its former employee.

“We have been advised that one of the 156 charges is related to an alleged incident involving one child at our Aussie Kindies Early Learning Keilor centre,” she said.

“One incident is one too many. No child or family should ever have to face this.”

Only About Children said it was devastated by the recent allegations.

“Our focus is firmly on supporting children, families and our team members and ensuring they have access to the information and assistance they need,” they said in a statement.

Affinity has fast-tracked CCTV installation across all centres.

In a statement, Nino Early Learning Adventures said it was advised on Wednesday Victoria Police brought additional charges against Mr Brown.

“The charges of recklessly causing injury and common assault relate to an incident which occurred on 26 March 2019,” the childcare provider said.

“Nino ELA’s Point Cook Centre was sold in 2024. At the time this incident occurred, Nino ELA reported the incident to the Department of Education in accordance with its statutory obligations, and a thorough investigation was undertaken both by the Department and the Centre.”

Nino Early Learning said it remained deeply distressed by the nature of the charges.

“Child safety, educator excellence, and service quality are always our top priorities in all we do, and we are continuously reviewing and enhancing our practices to not only meet – but exceed – regulatory expectations,” it said.

“The safety, wellbeing, and development of every child must be the highest priority and Nino ELA welcomes any review of the National Education and Care Services Laws and Regulations that strengthens safeguards, enhances accountability, and ensures the highest standards of safety and care for every child.”

Joshua Brown has remained in police custody since May 12. Picture: Supplied

Mr Brown has remained in police custody since May 12.

He will return to court on February 10.

The fresh charges come one week after the Herald Sun revealed that lead investigator Detective Senior Constable Regan Oxford had been given the green light to grill Mr Brown in a secret 10-hour interview.

In early September, Constable Oxford applied for an order at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that would allow him to take Mr Brown from custody to Melbourne West police station.

The court heard the questioning was expected to take about 10 hours, including appropriate breaks, and related to “further evidence” that had been “discovered”.

Magistrate Donna Bakos granted the order, which was not opposed by Mr Brown, citing that it was in the “interests of justice to do so”.

She reminded Mr Brown that he had a right to silence and he did not have to say or do anything during the interview, which would be recorded.

When asked if he understood, he replied: “I did, Your Honour.”

During the court hearing, the prosecutor indicated that Constable Oxford did not intend to charge Mr Brown on the day of the interview, which had been locked in for September 24.

“It might be a couple of weeks before charges eventuate,” she said.

Originally published as Joshua Brown childcare horror widens: 83 new charges, four more alleged victims