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Since 2017, Brown has worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne. Before Creative Garden, he had worked at large childcare chains G8 Education and Affinity Education and done short-term relief work at other centres.
Very little is known about Brown – Age journalists could not find any social media accounts linked to him, and family and friends have so far refused to comment – but he has distinctive arm tattoos and ginger-coloured hair, which he often dyed different colours.
He lived in a rented townhouse in Point Cook with a male roommate and a cat. The home is now vacant.
On Tuesday, as detectives arrived at Papilio Childcare Centre in Essendon – where Brown has previously worked and where police are investigating whether more abuse occurred – families picking up their children were still learning the news of his arrest.
What childcare centres did Brown work at?
The Victorian government has published a list of childcare centres where Brown worked and when.
You can see the childcare centres in the graphic below, but there are 20 in total across Melbourne and Geelong.
Who is Michael Simon Wilson, the second man arrested?
Michael Simon Wilson is the second man arrested as part of the same investigation that uncovered Brown’s alleged abuse.
Wilson’s charges are not related to any childcare facilities and involve different alleged victims to those identified in the case against Brown. However, Wilson and Brown are known to each other.
Police visit the Papilio Early Learning Centre in Essendon on Tuesday morning.Credit: Justin McManus
You can read more about Wilson here.
What can parents do if their child attended one of these centres?
The Health Department has contacted about 2600 families, parents and carers by text, email and letters about the case.
They have recommended that about 1200 children linked with Brown – so not all the children who attended centres where he worked – undergo testing for sexually transmitted infections.
The government is advising families whether their children need to be tested for infections.
Medical experts have reassured families potentially affected that most sexually transmitted infections are treatable with a course of antibiotics.
Why are children being tested for STIs?
Officials said the STI tests have been recommended “out of an abundance of caution” and based on the risk profile of each child.
Children who have not been asked to test for sexually infected diseases do not meet the risk profile designated by officials.
Police at Papilio Early Learning Essendon on Keilor Road in Essendon on Tuesday.Credit: Carla Jaeger
A police source told this masthead that Brown had tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease.
The testing is expected to involve a full STI screening, such as swabs and urine and blood tests.
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Some STIs are diagnosed via the presence of bacteria in fluids such as saliva, while others are detected via antibodies in the blood.
A Health Department spokeswoman said the department would not comment on the specifics of suspected exposure to protect children’s sensitive health information.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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