Childcare Worker Facing 156 โคcharges in alleged Abuse Case
Joshua Daleโ Brown, โขa former childcare worker, is now facing 156 charges related to alleged offences against children. The charges represent โขan increase of moreโค thanโค 80 โคfrom the initial 70-plus laid in July.
Mr Brown โฃwas arrested in July, prompting health authorities to recommend health screening for approximately 2,000 children linkedโ to the case, initially focusing on 1,200 for โpotential infectious diseases.
The alleged offending occurred between April 2022 adn January 2023 โat the โCreative Garden Early Learning Center,impacting eight young children.
Police previously stated Mr Brown had worked at 20 childcare centres between January 2017 and May โ2025.
Theโค case โtriggered a government response, including the declaration of reforms to the childcare sector, such asโ the creation of a register ofโ childcare workers. Aโ rapid review later found childcare watchdogs โwere failing to adequately protect children due to issues with information sharing, legalโ constraints, and underfunding. Regulatory changes have โฃalso โstrengthened the Working โฃwith Children Check (WWCC)โ scheme.
Mr Brown is scheduled to appear inโ court in February next year.
