11-07-2025
Almost 200 distressed parents are turning to legal help after the shock allegations of child sex offences by a childcare worker
Parents of children who had to be tested for STIs after a childcare worker was accused of dozens of sickening offences have been driven to quit work.
Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 child abuse offences, including the sexual penetration of a child and producing child abuse material.
The alleged offences occurred during Brown's employment at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook, where he worked from October 2021 to February 2024.
Last week, an urgent warning from the Victorian Department of Health and Victoria Police horrified the parents of 1,200 children who were told to get them tested for infectious diseases.
Days later, on Thursday, almost 200 parents filled a room at Sanctuary Lakes Function Centre in Point Cook, in southwest Melbourne, to discuss legal action.
The crowd were very emotional during the event which had been organised by high-profile Victorian law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker.
Many broke down in tears and felt overwhelmed by the lack of information.
Some raised concerns there was a lack of accountability by childcare centres, the government and the police.
Principal lawyer Jodie Harris heard from some parents who had to give up work to stay home with their children and have said they are 'suffering their own mental health conditions'.
She told Daily Mail Australia they are 'so concerned that they've put their child in a position where they may have been abused'.
'A major red flag for us in considering actions on behalf of families is just the sheer amount of access (Brown) had one-on-one with children to allow this alleged offending to occur.'
The lawyer said the firm will be starting legal proceedings in the 'very near future', but added they are unsure whether it will be a class action suit.
A GP from MyHealth Clinic in Point Cook, Dr Parul Solanki also attended the event to offer advice to parents on testing and how they should handle it.
This included discussing the 'inconsistent' approach of the state government's health department which is understood to have asked some families to do urine tests and others to do blood test.
Many questions were directed to the doctor around the process of testing and the 'injuries' caused to children as a result.
The department declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia, pointing to its FAQ page offering information to parents.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police said officers are working through further material provided over the past few days by childcare centres in relation to Brown's employment history.
'All of the childcare providers are cooperating fully with police on this matter,' they said.
'This assessment is being completed by police as a priority.
'We understand that many in the community are feeling concerned and anxious.
'However it is incredibly important that this information is confirmed, then thoroughly reviewed with other relevant agencies prior to any public release.'
They said that, once the assessment is completed, authorities will seek to inform the impacted parties directly and also update the government website.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with further information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers via the website or on 1800 333 000.
Brown worked at 20 childcare centres over an eight-year period between January 2017 and May 2025.
His Point Cook home was raided by police shortly after an investigation was launched earlier that same month.
Police have said he was not known to them before his arrest and he had a valid Working With Children Check, which has since been cancelled.
He will next appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15.
