At least six people are alleged to be victims of a former childcare worker who has been charged with numerous child sex offences dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, Queensland police say.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged on Friday after a lengthy investigation that is still underway.
He was released on bail when his case was heard briefly in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday.
Police said two of the man's alleged victims came forward about 18 months ago.
On Monday, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said both were eight years old when they encountered the man at a childcare facility.
Senior Sergeant Miles said the accused worked closely with children for a number of years.
The former childcare worker was charged with 57 offences, including rape, indecent treatment of children and sexual assault.
Senior Sergeant Miles said police believed there may be other alleged victims.
"We know of at least another four … we don't know the end number," he said.
He said local police hoped media reports of the charges would encourage any other alleged victims to come forward.
The man was also charged with a sexual assault that allegedly occurred last year.
"That's a totally unrelated assault but obviously during the course of our investigations he was an individual who we had a particular focus on," Senior Sergeant Miles said.
The man is due to appear in court again on March 9.
