A second suspect has been charged with child sexual offences as part of Victoria’s large-scale childcare abuse investigation.

Michael Simon Wilson was charged following a widespread investigation triggered by childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who was charged with 70 offences.

Appearing in court on July 2, the same day as Brown, Wilson was charged with 45 offences, including rape and bestiality.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan had yet to be informed of the details of Wilson’s case.

“I’ve not been briefed and nor indeed would I comment on an active police investigation,” she told media.

Additionally, the police have yet to comment on Wilson’s case, and any alleged connection between the two men remains unknown.

Brown, 26, was charged with 70 offences involving eight children, aged between five months and two years, enrolled at a childcare centre in Point Cook in west Melbourne between April 2022 and January 2023, Victorian Police revealed on July 1.

The offences include sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, the production of child abuse material, and more.

He worked at around 20 childcare facilities, prompting health authorities to urge the parents of 1,200 children to test their children for unspecified infectious diseases. These families are entitled to a $5,000 payment to help cover costs such as time off work, travel, and other related expenses.

The allegations have pushed the Victorian government to launch an urgent review of child safety, to be completed by Aug. 15, establish a mandatory register of all early childhood educators, and accelerate the implementation of a mobile phone ban in childcare facilities.

The incoming national phone ban will be fast-tracked in the state, taking effect from Sept. 26, with non-compliant centres facing fines of up to $50,000.

Second Victorian Man Charged With Child Sex Abuse as Childcare Inquiry Widens

Masked Man Claims Responsibility for Anti-Semitic Vandalism Spree, Issues New ‘Warning’

Australian PM Pushes China to Help Decarbonise Steel Production, Deal with Overcapacity

Minister Says Australia Will Not Commit Troops to Conflict Ahead of Time