UPDATE: Shocking new reports confirm that Joshua Brown, a 26-year-old childcare worker, is alleged to have sexually abused eight children at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook. These accusations coincide with a previously undisclosed complaint regarding inadequate supervision at the center, raising urgent concerns about child safety.
Internal documents obtained by this news outlet reveal a troubling timeline. The complaint, filed with the Victorian Department of Education in August 2022, outlined critical failures in monitoring children. A student on placement voiced fears that children were often left unsupervised, with instances of toddlers wandering into empty rooms and being alone in bathrooms.
This alarming situation persisted while police allege Brown was abusing children between April 2022 and January 2023. Investigators claim he filmed the abuse and transmitted disturbing images to another individual. Notably, four of the six days Brown is charged with abusing children occurred after the complaint was lodged against the center.
Documents also indicate that the second center where Brown worked, Papilio Childcare Centre in Essendon, was under scrutiny by the Department of Education just months before his arrest. This raises serious questions about oversight within the childcare chains; both G8 Education and Affinity Education failed to adequately protect vulnerable children.
Furthermore, the investigation reveals that Affinity employs a GPS-enabled app to monitor employee movements. However, they misled authorities by providing incorrect records regarding Brown’s whereabouts across centers, further complicating the police probe.
As the investigation intensifies, officials emphasize the critical need for transparency and accountability in childcare settings. Parents and guardians are urged to stay vigilant regarding their children’s safety and report any concerns immediately.
With ongoing police investigations, the community awaits further developments. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as authorities work to ensure justice for the affected children.
