Authorities have announced that hundreds more children will undergo testing for infectious diseases following the expansion of a child abuse scandal involving alleged sex offender Joshua Dale Brown. Investigators discovered that Brown worked at four additional childcare centres operated by Affinity Education during his employment. Families whose children attended these centres between August 2024 and February 2025 are now being contacted for precautionary testing.
The newly identified centres include Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham and Milestones Early Learning locations in Tarneit, Greensborough, and Braybrook. Brown faces more than 70 charges related to sexual offences against eight children under the age of two at a facility in Point Cook, located in Melbourne’s southwest, between April 2022 and January 2023. Authorities believe he worked in as many as 23 childcare centres across the region from January 2017 to May 2025, spanning areas from Williamstown to Sunbury.
Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath confirmed that approximately 830 additional families would be contacted, adding to the 1,200 already advised to seek testing. “This is obviously a highly distressing situation, and I want to reassure all families being contacted that the potential exposure risk to an infectious disease for their child remains low,” Dr. McGrath stated on Tuesday.
Families are understandably anxious as they await results. Melody Glaister, whose six-year-old daughter attended Creative Garden Early Learning Point Cook during Brown’s tenure, expressed her relief after receiving a negative test result. “We’re incredibly grateful and relieved as parents that our child is physically healthy, but we are always going to wonder, did something happen to our child?” she told AAP. Glaister also voiced concern that more families now face the distressing process of testing.
Authorities have updated the list of dates and locations connected to Brown’s employment, including adjustments for Papilio Early Learning in Essendon, where the period of his employment was extended by six months. However, reports indicate that he did not work at Papilio’s Hoppers Crossing location between August 22, 2024, and March 12, 2025. Families affected by these changes will be contacted by the health department starting Tuesday.
A comprehensive investigation into Brown’s work history remains a priority for police. “This has been extremely complex due to childcare-approved providers not having centralised records, requiring detectives to execute search warrants to obtain handwritten records, shift rosters, and other critical information,” Victoria Police noted.
Since the charges were announced on July 1, 2023, police have received over 270 reports through Crime Stoppers. An Affinity Education Group spokesperson expressed deep concern for the families affected, stating, “We are deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families; no family should have to go through this.”
It has come to light that Brown was the subject of two separate internal investigations at G8 Education in April 2023 and January 2024. While these investigations were unrelated to sexual abuse and occurred after the alleged incidents, they were substantiated and reported to state authorities. Despite this, Brown’s working with children certificate remained valid. Glaister believes that had appropriate action been taken, many parents would not be facing the current situation. “If the appropriate action had been taken, it’s very likely there would be hundreds of parents right now that wouldn’t be in the same situation,” she stated.
In response to the growing concerns, a spokesperson for the Victorian government confirmed that health and mental health support services are being made available to affected families. Those seeking immediate assistance can contact 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732, the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service, or 1800 211 028 for further help.
