A man charged with child rape and bestiality in a case linked to a series of alleged childcare centre sexual assaults that has shocked Australia has been unmasked.

A picture of Michael Simon Wilson, 36, who was charged over the alleged rape of a teenage boy in Hoppers Crossing on April 16, has been made public for the first time.

It was the investigation into Mr Wilson’s alleged offending that led police to uncover evidence of horrific alleged sexual abuse of children at Melbourne childcare centres, the Herald Sun reports.

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Childcare worker Joshua Brown, 26, who worked at more than 20 centres across Victoria between 2017 and May 2025, was charged on Tuesday.

He is facing more than 70 child sex charges relating to the alleged abuse of eight children aged between five months and two-years-old.

He is also accused of using his bodily fluids to tamper with food, News.com.au reported.

The allegations about Mr Brown prompted the Victorian Government to recommend that 1200 children seek STI tests.

Mr Brown was arrested on May 12, four days after his last shift at Milestones Early Learning in Bundoora the previous Thursday, the Herald Sun reports

A suppression order on reporting of the arrest was granted and only lifted on Tuesday morning when police held a press conference.

Mr Wilson and Mr Brown are reportedly known to each other, though the nature of the relationship is unclear.

Mr Wilson’s alleged offences are not believed to involve childcare centres or any of Mr Brown’s alleged victims.

Mr Wilson and Mr Brown are both due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 15.

The charges have sparked urgent calls for reform in the childcare sector, with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan promising immediate action.

The state government will immediately begin building a register for childcare workers, she said, and will bring forward a policy to ban personal devices in centres.

“To avoid delay, we’ll be putting all Victorian childcare centres on notice,” she said.

“They will be required to adopt this ban on personal devices, effective from September 26.

“Childcare centres who don’t comply with this ban will have this placed on them as a condition of licence and may face fines of up to $50,000.

The premier will also commission an “urgent review” into childcare safety, with more details expected at the end of the week.

The review will examine the possibility of installing CCTV cameras in centres and deploying a “four eyes” principle, meaning children should not be left alone with a single adult.

It will also review whether the five-year working with children check time frame should be shortened.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.