CNN
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Parents of 1,200 children in Victoria, Australia are encouraged to be tested for infectious diseases after childcare workers are charged with more than 70 crimes, including sexual assault.
Authorities issued a phone call after Victoria Police announced the arrest of 26-year-old Joshua Dale Brown, accused of sexually abusing eight children between the ages of five months and two at a Melbourne childcare centre in 2022 and 2023.
All crimes are linked to eight victims who participated in one center, but police have not ruled out other potential victims at 19 other childcare centers known to have been working since 2017.
Commander Janet Stevenson, acting Victoria Police Department, said Brown’s name has been made public so parents can confirm whether the child has come into contact with him.
“It’s very important for every parent with a child to ensure that they are who they are and where they work,” Stephenson said at a press conference Tuesday.
Brown is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on September 15th, police said in a news release Tuesday. CNN is working to confirm Brown’s legal representation.
The Victoria Police Sexual Crimes squad began an investigation this May after detectives discovered child abuse material, authorities said. Police then executed a search warrant at Brown’s home, leading to their arrest. Police then worked to identify the suspected victim.
“Last week we notified eight families that we accused Brown of sexual discomfort with her child,” Stevenson said.
“As you can imagine, this was extremely painful for families to listen to. We worked with our partner institutions to prepare and support all of our support throughout this difficult period.”
Brown had an effective “child collaboration,” a mandatory screening for people working in child-related jobs in Australia, Stephenson said. Brown is part of a childcare center where he worked for “a very short period of time.”
Health officials and police have identified and contacted about 2,600 families whose children were present at the childcare center where Brown worked, chief health officer Christian McGrath said at a press conference.
McGrath said about 1,200 children are recommended to be tested for infections.
“We recommend that you get tested for infections during that period due to potential exposure risks. We understand that this is another disastrous component of the situation and take this approach as a precaution,” McGrath said.
He refused to say the illness the children are being asked to test, but said they could be treated with antibiotics.
Authorities accused Brown of producing and sending child abuse material with children who are sexually assaulting them. Eight suspects participated in the Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, a Melbourne suburb. Police did not disclose the victim’s gender.
Detectives are looking into evidence of possible crimes at another childcare centre in Essendon, northwest Melbourne, according to a news release.
Victoria Prime Minister Jacinta Alan said she was “sick” in the allegations.
“They are shocking and miserable, and my heart is simply broken for families living the worst nightmares of all parents. As a parent, I can only imagine the unbearable sadness and pain that affected families are experiencing now,” Alan said.
CNN’s Hillary Whiteman contributed the report.
