Mother of child allegedly abused at daycare centre says she's 'broken'

Sunday, 6 July 2025 20:21

A mother has shared her anguish after learning her child was one of the children allegedly sexually abused by accused paedophile Joshua Brown.

She is now among 70 families who are taking legal action.

The mother, who can't be identified for legal reasons, left her child where she trusted they'd be safe.

Then one conversation shattered her world.

"I felt as if, like, my soul had been taken out of my body," she said.

"I didn't believe such a thing could occur. And I've just been broken since."

Police contacted her almost two weeks ago and said her child was allegedly sexually abused while at child care.

"You can't imagine. You can't," she told 9News.

"It just makes you sick.

"I was just overwhelmed with emotions, and I started to vomit, at what had occurred to my child."

The accused man is Joshua Brown.

A total of 70 charges have been laid against the 26-year-old who allegedly assaulted eight children at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.

Police continue to investigate Brown's conduct at 19 other childcare centres he worked at between 2017 and 2025.

The investigation has prompted Victorian authorities to urge 1200 families to send their young children for precautionary STI testing.

"I don't think my child would ever go back to a daycare centre," the mother said

Jodie Harris from Arnold, Thomas and Backer said the law firm had been "overwhelmed" with inquiries from families.

"We're now looking at in excess of 70 families," Harris said.

The team has organised an open information session to allow families to ask questions and understand their legal options.

"I've lost faith, I've lost trust. In the system that was meant to protect the most vulnerable," the mother said.

Meanwhile extra steps have been taken to protect Brown behind bars.

It's understood he was moved to HM Prison Barwon near Geelong earlier this week after being at previous remand centres.

The maximum-security prison and staff are equipped to deal with high-profile prisoners and it's likely he'll go into protective custody until he faces court in September.