Second Man Charged in Melbourne Child Abuse Case: A Disturbing Update
In a chilling escalation of the Melbourne childcare abuse investigation, a second man, Michael Simon Wilson, has been charged with 45 serious offences
Content Warning: This post discusses child abuse and sexual assault. Support resources are listed at the end.
In a chilling escalation of the Melbourne childcare abuse investigation, a second man, Michael Simon Wilson, has been charged with 45 serious offences, including rape, possession of child abuse material, and bestiality. The charges, announced by Victoria Police, are tied to an alleged sexual assault in Coburg on April 16, 2025, and are part of a broader probe that began with allegations against former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown.
Here’s what we know about this deeply unsettling case, its impact on families, and the urgent reforms it’s sparked.
The Latest Developments
Michael Simon Wilson, a 36-year-old from Hoppers Crossing, faces 45 charges unrelated to childcare settings but linked to the investigation into Joshua Dale Brown, a 26-year-old former educator charged with over 70 offences. These include sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault, and producing child abuse material. Brown’s alleged crimes targeted eight children, aged five months to two years, at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre – Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.
The connection between Wilson and Brown was uncovered after a police raid on Brown’s home in May 2025, with material allegedly found on Wilson’s devices tying him to the case. While the exact nature of their relationship remains under wraps due to ongoing court proceedings, both men are scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15, 2025. Neither has entered a plea.
Who is Michael Simon Wilson?
Wilson’s charges stem from an alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy in Coburg, distinct from Brown’s childcare-related crimes. Court and police reports indicate Wilson has a prior history of legal issues, including charges for assault, possession of a controlled weapon, and property damage. He served a noncustodial sentence and was required to undergo mandated therapy.
He lived alone, maintained profiles on dating platforms, and recently separated from a long-term partner. Until two months before his arrest, he reportedly co-managed a small local hobbyist group. These biographical insights, while not directly tied to the charges, offer contextual background as the investigation unfolds.
Joshua Dale Brown and the Childcare Connection
Brown’s case has sent shockwaves through Melbourne’s early childhood education sector. Employed at over 20 centres since 2017, he held a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) and had no prior criminal record. His alleged offences at Point Cook, and potentially a second centre in Melbourne’s north, have reignited concerns about the system’s inability to prevent undetected abuse.
Notably, Brown is also charged under Crimes Act 1958 (VIC) s317A for allegedly contaminating children’s food with bodily fluids, raising urgent public health concerns.
Victoria Police have stated that no other childcare staff are implicated, and that no evidence currently suggests abuse at all 20 centres where Brown worked. A full list of centres and employment periods has been published by the Department of Education at
👉 www.vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation
(e.g., Nino Early Learning Adventures – Point Cook, Jan 2017–Jun 2019; Papilio Early Learning – Essendon, Feb–May 2025)
Community Impact and Outrage
The charges have shaken the confidence of families statewide. “We trusted these centres with our babies. We trusted the system. And now we’re questioning everything,” one parent told The Age.
In response, the Victorian government has contacted 2,600 families, with 1,200 children advised to undergo infectious disease testing. The Department of Health has established a dedicated support line (1800 791 241) and is providing $5,000 payments to assist with costs such as alternative childcare, testing, and lost wages.
Advocates say more fundamental reform is needed. Kathleen Maltzahn, Executive Officer at Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic), condemned the inadequacy of WWCC checks, noting: “We can’t rely just on checks because they only work if someone’s already been found guilty.”
Groups such as Bravehearts and Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) are calling for a national registry of childcare workers and a cross-jurisdictional data-sharing system to prevent known risks from being siloed or overlooked.
Government Response and Reforms
Premier Jacinta Allan announced an urgent sector review due by August 15, 2025, with the following reforms already underway:
Introduction of mandatory CCTV in all licensed childcare centres.
A ban on personal electronic devices from September 26, 2025.
Establishment of a register of early childhood educators to centralise complaints and oversight.
Allan has labelled the Brown case one of the most serious institutional abuse scandals in Victoria’s history, vowing sweeping change.
What’s Next?
As both Wilson and Brown prepare to face court in September 2025, the police investigation remains active. Authorities are prioritising inquiries into allegations tied to a second childcare centre, while coordinating trauma support and public health monitoring.
If you or someone you know has concerns, a list of affected centres and ongoing updates is available on the government’s central response page.
This case is a stark warning: Australia’s child protection infrastructure is reactive, not preventative. As one child safety advocate put it;
“We need systems that catch predators before they strike, not after.”
Support Resources
If you or someone you know is affected:
1800 RESPECT (National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service): 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault Crisis Line – Victoria: 1800 806 292
Make a complaint about child care or call 1300 307 415
Interpreter services are available by calling 1800 791 241. Trauma recovery factsheets in multiple languages are accessible via Better Health Channel.
© 2025 Underground Media Network Australia. All rights reserved.
This report is based on publicly available sources from Victoria Police, The Age, ABC News, and government statements as of 2 July 2025.