A top child abuse detective has revealed the chilling way evil paedophile predators handpick young victims, and how alpha parents help keep their kids safe.
The warning comes after Joshua Dale Brown, 26, was accused of horrific child abuse at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook in west Melbourne, along with a string of other centres where he worked.
Brown is now facing more than 70 charges, including the sexual penetration of a child and producing child abuse material, with 1,300 families told to have their kids tested for STDs.
The father of one child, who was at the Point Cook centre at the same time as Brown, has revealed how his no-nonsense attitude intimidated the childcare worker.
'I'm a big solid guy and I'm very direct and confident,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'I tried to make conversation with Josh most mornings for a year, and he would turn away or look at the floor.'
Former child sexual abuse detective Luke Taylor has told Daily Mail Australia how serial abusers profile victims the way wild animals stalk prey, and target the weakest.
'They weigh up their prey, and only take on those they can predate,' Mr Taylor said. 'They choose the young animals on the outskirts, the vulnerable, those isolated from the pack.'
Joshua Dale Brown, 26, (pictured) is now facing more than 70 shocking charges, including the sexual penetration of a child and producing child abuse material, with authorities urging 1,300 families to have their children tested for STDs
Former child sexual abuse detective Luke Taylor (pictured) said predators often profile their victims in the same way wild animals stalk prey
Mr Taylor said predators are drawn to children without strong male figures around them and actively avoid situations where they might be challenged.
'Like the herd, strong males will protect the young and vulnerable,' he said. 'If a child has strong male influences, who are both visible and heard, these men will shy away from them.
'They are opportunists and understand how to survive in the undergrowth. They do not take on larger predators.
'A strong male presence will scare these men. They are incapable of standing up to strong people or other men. They often surround themselves with others like themselves, but usually only one other, in a tight circle.'
Mr Taylor said many offenders deliberately target single mothers with young children, using manipulation and deception to gain trust.
'Many men will choose single mothers, appearing as a white knight to work their way into their confidence, grooming both mother and child,' he said.
'They are often financially and psychologically vulnerable, and the offender triangulates one against the other to build alliances and maintain confidentiality.
'The child is led to believe that if they tell, they will be responsible for destroying the family they are becoming.'
He explained that these predators often isolate both mother and child from their support networks, making them increasingly dependent on the offender.
Brown's charges stem from his time at the daycare centre between October 2021 and February 2024. He also worked at more than a dozen other centres across Melbourne from 2017 to 2025
Mr Taylor said predators are drawn to children without strong male figures around them and actively avoid situations where they might be challenged
'They gaslight them from their friends until they only have 'him' in their life,' Mr Taylor said.
'They are nearly always victims of sexual abuse themselves, by other men, father figures, trusted men in their lives.
'They have accepted this as either normal or a rite of passage.
'It's about power - having had power taken from them and they assert the power back on others, thinking, "No one helped me."
'They convince themselves that because they suffered, it's okay for others to suffer. It is not rational thought.'
Brown's charges relate to his employment at the daycare centre where he worked between October 2021 and February 2024. He also worked at more than a dozen other centres across Melbourne between 2017 and 2025.
Brown is also charged with recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety, which is understood to refer to the alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids.
Police said the alleged victims were between five months and two years old.
Last week, the Point Cook father was one of hundreds to receive a text message from Victoria Police and the state health department about the investigation into 'alleged incidents in childcare centres'.
The Point Cook father was one of hundreds to receive a text from Victoria Police and the state health department about the investigation into 'alleged incidents in childcare centres'
Brown was also charged with recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety, which is understood to refer to the alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids.
'We understand this may be upsetting, and we want to assure you that help is available,' it read.
The text also explained they would receive an email with more information.
The Point Cook father-of-one is relieved that his son does not appear to be one of Brown's alleged victims.
'I always tried to make conversation and find out more about him,' he said. 'I'd ask him what he did at the weekend and he wouldn't give much away.
'But my son never changed in temperament during that year. He is a happy and confident kid. He still goes to that daycare and he loves it there.'
Three steps to keeping your kids safe
Luke Taylor - who spent 14 years in the forces including the Child Protection Sex Crimes Squad- says there are precautions parents can take to keep their children safe. Here's his vital three-step guide every parent needs to read
STEP ONE
Overall body language and demeanour are things you should look at when meeting new people who are around your children.
Ask yourself - Do they avoid confrontations with men? Are they working in a vulnerable industry? Is the industry dominated by women? Do they have authority over others in any capacity?
Eye contact is not always a sign something is wrong, and there are a lot of shy people and increasingly poor communicators in our world, but it should be taken into account.
STEP TWO
Get to know your childcare workers and anyone in regular contact with your children.
Have parent-teacher interviews and ask questions about their personal and social life. Let them know you are active in your child's life.
Many victims grow up to work in child or animal industries, pouring the love they didn't receive into the vulnerable. They are the providers, carers, but for men who are paedophile predators, they may also have ulterior motives.
STEP THREE
The key measure to protect against these people is removing opportunity. Criminal proof requires motive, ability and opportunity.
With sex offenders, the motive is power, more than sex.
I believe it is impossible to remove ability because of their drive; chemical or actual castration is not enough.
That only leaves opportunity: remove it & remove risk. Children in day care should never be left alone with just one worker.