A daycare worker has been charged with allegedly filming child abuse material at the center where he worked.
The man, aged in his 20s, worked at a care facility in Sydney’s north and was initially arrested by Australian Federal Police in September.
He was accused of refusing to allow police access to his phone before investigators found alleged evidence of child abuse against children in his care.
Evidence suggests the material involved “prepubescent children”, some of whom were between three and six years old.
Police believe the material was produced between 2021 and July 2024, just weeks before he was arrested and charged.
Ten more charges were laid by the AFP last week, before he was faced on Tuesday at Sydney’s Downing Centre.
Australian Federal Police have charged a childcare worker with allegedly making child abuse material of children as young as three in his care (file image)
They include six counts of aggravated use of a child to produce abusive material, two counts of sexually touching a child under 10 years old and two counts of using a child to produce abusive material.
A court order prohibited media outlets from publishing his name while investigators identify potential victims.
Court documents obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald laid out a series of disturbing allegations that prosecutors intend to bring to court.
It includes claims that the man filmed young children using the bathroom at daycare and pleasuring themselves in a classroom in front of the children.
A prosecutor warned the court that there are “child victims yet to be identified” due to the extensive time period of the alleged crime.
Police alleged the abuse took place between 2021 and July 2024, just weeks before he was first arrested and charged (file image).
They argued that publication of their name, or the name of the nursery, should be banned as it would “cause hysteria” among parents whose children attend.
The AFP supported the prosecutor’s request to avoid causing “psychological harm” to the alleged victims and their parents and caregivers.
Investigations are ongoing.