Eerie photos released in search for alleged victims of Australia's worst accused day care paedophile

By MAISY RAE - NEWS REPORTER and CANDACE SUTTON, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:26, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 00:32, 16 July 2026 Police are appealing for help after images seized from the devices of one of Australia's most prolific alleged daycare abusers showed a dinosaur puffer vest, blue patterned shorts and a two-tone T-shirt that may help identify more victims.  Hamish Tait, 35, was arrested in July 2025 and is accused of abusing children across five childcare centres between 2009 and 2025. He worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities during that 16-year period, mostly in northwest Sydney. The charges against him include 134 relating to the production of child abuse material or data. He also faces 12 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child aged under 10 and 44 aggravated charges of filming a person in a private act or filming their private parts without consent. Police seized more than two million files from Tait's devices allegedly containing child abuse images and 500,000 'unique images' of 122 alleged child victims. On Thursday, police released seven images allegedly seized on electronic devices as part of the investigation under Operation Moonbi, in the hope the unique items could be recognised by parents, carers or the general public. The images, which police believe were taken in Sydney's north-west, include a photo of a puffer vest with a distinctive dinosaur pattern which was likely taken on June 26, 2023, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre. Another set of images, which police believe were taken sometime between February 18, 2020 and March 3, 2024 at a Rouse Hill childcare centre, show a pair of shorts with a blue pattern and a t-shirt with an animal pattern on the front and left shoulder. Hamish Tait (above) was arrested in July 2025 and accused of abusing children across five childcare centres between 2009 and 2025 A puffer vest with a distinctive dinosaur, or dinosaur skeleton, pattern. Police say the images were likely taken on 26 June, 2023, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre Shorts with a blue pattern and a t-shirt with an animal pattern on the front and left shoulder. Police say the image is believed to be taken sometime between 18 February, 2020, and 3 March, 2024, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre. Police believe a photo of a two-tone t-shirt was likely taken on January 9, 2018 at a Putney childcare centre. Detectives have identified 136 of his alleged victims and are working to find another 22. 'Any information, big or small, may assist the victim identification process. We encourage anyone who has information to please contact the LCP on 02 9765 1000,' AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said. 'We understand this week's news about Operation Moonbi has been tough for members of our community. The abuse of trust we allege has occurred is confronting. 'Our investigation will continue, and we thank the public for their cooperation, patience and support as we continue to make inquiries.' Police have accused Tait of abusing more alleged victims than any other child abuser in Australian history. Electronic evidence recovered from Tait’s phones and devices allegedly shows he filmed children in toilets between 2009 and 2025 at five centres.  Tait has also been charged with inciting a victim under the age of ten to commit an indecent act, and intentionally inciting a child under ten to perform a sexual act on themselves. Police released this image of a two-tone t-shirt likely taken on 9 January, 2018, at a Putney childcare centre. Police arrested Tait last July and he has since fought to keep his identity a secret for his own and his family's 'safety', losing in court on Monday when a judge ruled his name could be exposed Parents who believe their child had contact with Tait are urged to contact the AFP on (02) 9765 1000, from 7am to 7pm AEST Tait's name and image could only be publicly identified on Monday when a court lifted a temporary non-publication order. Police are expecting more parents may come forward after publishing the list of places where Tait worked. Parents who believe their child had contact with Tait are urged to contact the AFP on (02) 9765 1000, from 7am to 7pm AEST.  You can read the full list below. He will face court at a later date. Police allege offending occurred at locations marked with an asterisk: Beaumont Hills OOSH (Jigsaw OOSH or Beaumont Hills OOSH) Carinya Neighbourhood Childrens Centre Inc Cooranbong Valley Community Preschool Endeavour Early Education – Kariong Fit Kidz Learning Centre Box Hill* Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural North Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural South Fit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood North Fit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood South Fit Kidz Learning Centre Putney* Fit Kidz Learning Centre Rouse Hill* Fit Kidz Learning Centre Turramurra Fit Kidz Learning Centre Vineyard Fit Kidz Learning Centre Warrawee* Glenning Valley Child Care Centre Goodstart Early Learning Centre Woodcroft Gracelands Early Education Centre Heritage House Cherrybrook Early Education Centre Kiddiwinks Play, Laugh & Learn – Warriewood Kradle 2 Krayons Long Day Centre Little Peoples Early Learning Centre Wollongong Milestones Early Learning, Baulkham Hills Montessori Academy – Alexandria Montessori Academy – Zetland – Victoria Park Morisset and District Children’s Centre Pennant Hills Before & After School Care Quakers Hill Kindergarten and Child Care Centre Wiggles & Giggles Cranebrook Wild Earthlings Cumberland State Forest Young Academics Early Learning Centre Rouse Hill Help is available. 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