‘I was scared': Parents react to childcare abuse allegations as former educator charged

News.com.au

01-07-2025

Parents are demanding answers after abuse allegations surfaced at a Melbourne childcare centre, where more than 70 charges have been laid against a former educator.
Police allege Joshua Brown, 26, committed more than 70 offences, including sexual assault and producing child abuse material, while working at the centre between April 2022 and January 2023.
Distressed families gathered outside the Point Cook facility on Tuesday, trying to find answers as the allegations sent waves of fear and confusion through the community.
The centre remained under a quiet but heavy police presence as parents arrived to collect their children.
A father who attended the centre to check on his child said he was 'scared' when he heard the news.
'I was scared,' he told NewsWire.
'I was scared because, well… we can imagine lots of bad things about it.'
The man, who asked not to be named, said his child had attended the centre in 2022. He had tried calling for information but was met with silence.
'I called the hotline, but nobody answered,' he said.
'I think they are congested today, so that's why I came (here), but they don't give any information.'
Another father who enrolled his child at the centre just last month said he was angry at the lack of communication.
He said he only learnt of the allegations on social media and had received 'nothing' from staff at the centre.
'What's the use of a working with children check?' he asked reporters.
'It's a farce. It's a total farce.'
Another woman who came to collect a relative from the centre, also said she hadn't been given any information.
'It's very awful,' she said.
'I hope there is … something being done about it.'
Authorities confirmed that Mr Brown had worked at 20 centres across Melbourne since 2017, sparking a broad investigation. A second centre in Essendon is also under scrutiny.
More than 1200 children have been recommended for infectious disease testing 'out of an abundance of caution,' according to Victoria's chief health officer Christian McGrath.
Premier Jacinta Allan said she was 'sickened' by the allegations and promised every health and mental health support would be provided to affected families.
The early childhood regulator has launched its own investigation.
G8 Education, which operates the Point Cook centre, said all legal background checks had been carried out during Mr Brown's employment and pledged full co-operation with police.
Legal firm Shine Lawyers said a class action could be considered if there were systemic failures.