A second man has now been charged in a widening investigation into child abuse allegations that have rocked Melbourne’s childcare sector. Michael Simon Wilson of Wyndham Vale has been charged with 45 child sex offences related to child abuse material and sexual crimes against children, according to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Wilson’s charges, including rape and the possession of child abuse material, form part of a broader police probe that began with the arrest of former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown.
From One Accused to Two — The Alarming Scope
Joshua Dale Brown, 26, from Point Cook in Melbourne’s west, was arrested in May and remains in custody. The charges against him are harrowing — they include sexual penetration of a child, producing child abuse material, and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety.
Brown’s alleged offending occurred between October 2021 and February 2024 while employed at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook. However, police say the scope of potential victims spans far wider, as Brown worked across 20 childcare centres in Melbourne from 2017 to 2025. In response, authorities have contacted 2,600 families and are urging parents to have their children tested for infectious diseases.
I can’t begin to fathom how these families are feeling right now and how the system, which was meant to be put in place to PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, has failed them so badly.
Adding to the distress, images have surfaced of Brown smiling and interacting with children during his time at the centres — including one image of him with pink and blue dyed hair, and another showing him with visible tattoos playing with children. His Working With Children Check, which was valid at the time of his employment, has now been revoked.
Police are also probing further possible offending by Brown at another centre in Essendon, with investigations ongoing.
Both to appear in court in September but not necessarily connected
Court documents reveal Wilson will appear in court on September 15, the same day as Brown, although authorities have confirmed that Wilson’s charges are unrelated to any childcare facility and involve separate alleged victims. Despite the lack of direct connection to the childcare centres, it’s understood the two men know each other — a disturbing link that has added a new layer of concern for families already reeling from the original revelations.
Major Reform Incoming as Community Outrage Grows
The scandal has triggered widespread public anger and panic, particularly among the thousands of Melbourne families whose children may have come into contact with Brown during his eight-year career in childcare.
In response, Premier Jacinta Allan has announced immediate reforms aimed at restoring public trust and preventing further breaches. These include:
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A ban on personal devices in childcare centres, starting September 26
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A new state register of childcare workers to offer parents more transparency and accountability
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An urgent six-week review into sector safety, regulation, and reporting standards
“We must act quickly to close the gaps that allowed this to happen,” Premier Allan said. “Parents deserve to know their children are safe, and workers deserve clear guidelines and support in creating secure, child-first environments.”
The Victorian Department of Health is also working closely with police and childcare operators to offer medical and psychological support to potentially impacted children and families.
Shaken Parents, Urgent Questions
For many families, the damage has already been done. There is mounting pressure on government departments to explain how someone like Brown — who was not previously known to police — was able to move freely between so many centres undetected.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,”
“We trusted these centres with our babies. We trusted the system. And now we’re questioning everything.”
The revelation that a second man, Wilson, is now facing similar — though separate — charges has only deepened the sense of unease. While Wilson’s charges don’t involve childcare settings, the fact that he’s known to Brown has sparked fears about the broader networks and systems of oversight.
A Wake-Up Call for the Entire Sector
This case is now one of the most significant child abuse investigations in recent Victorian history, not just because of the number of potential victims but also because of the systemic failures it appears to have exposed.
How did someone with a valid Working With Children Check slip through the cracks? Why was there no earlier reporting of suspicious behaviour? What policies allowed one person to work at 20 different centres without sufficient red flags?
The upcoming review into the industry, combined with the new legislative changes, will aim to address these questions — but for many families, the answers can’t come soon enough.
As Brown and Wilson prepare to face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15, thousands of parents across Victoria wait anxiously, hoping for justice — and demanding change.
If you or someone you know has been affected by child abuse, support is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831.
