Male childcare worker, 36, slapped with 137 child abuse charges - as police begin arduous task of identifying his alleged victims

Published: 02:52, 17 April 2026 | Updated: 02:52, 17 April 2026 A male childcare worker already awaiting court after allegedly abusing children at multiple daycare centres in Sydney has been hit with over a hundred new charges after police identified more of his alleged victims.  The 36-year-old man, who cannot be named due to court orders, has been in custody since July 2025 when the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized his devices and charged him with eight counts of online child abuse material offences. On Friday, AFP investigators from Operation Moonbi said further analysis of the man's devices identified a large volume of child abuse material. He has now been charged with a further 129 child abuse-related offences, bringing the total number of charges to 137.  The charges include the production and possession of child abuse material, aggravated filming without consent, and the exploitation of children under 14. Police said the current charges related to alleged offending between 2009 and 2025.  Each of these offences could incur penalties of imprisonment, with the offence of aggravated use of a child under 14 years for the production of child abuse material carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.  The man reappeared in Parramatta Local Court on Friday and is yet to enter a plea.  The male childcare worker was already awaiting court on accusations of abusing children across multiple daycare centres in Sydney when he was hit with the new charges AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said it was a 'parent's worst nightmare' in a statement on Friday.  'We know matters like this are a parent's worst nightmare, and we have investigators and digital forensic experts working around the clock to methodically review 2.4 million electronic files,' Det Supt Luke Needham said. 'Our priority is to analyse all available evidence and engage impacted families as soon as possible. 'It is important we compile a complete account of the offending, so the appropriate support is provided for the specific individual circumstances of each impacted family.' It's understood police will notify the impacted families in the coming weeks.  Anyone with information relevant to investigations under Operation Moonbi is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.  Free and confidential help is available 24/7 at: Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.