CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses alleged child sexual abuse.
A childcare worker in Sydney’s north who has been accused of paedophilia has been publicly named as David James after a court lifted a year-long order that had shielded his identity from the public.
James, a man in his 20s, has been accused of an array of serious child abuse offences during his time at multiple daycare and after-school care centres, including an Artarmon childcare service and others around Lane Cove.
James’ name became public after the court decided that all known families had already been notified and that the suppression order was no longer necessary, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Police began investigating James last September when he refused to give access to his phone to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). After seizing the phone, police say they found evidence that James filmed and photographed children at work. Court documents, cited by SMH, allege some victims were as young as three.
James is now facing 13 charges, including nine counts of making child abuse material, possession of that material, and refusing to give police access to his device. According to the AFP, their investigation shows James allegedly created material involving 10 children, all aged under six, while working at six different childcare services.
As part of their process, police sent out letters to around 1,200 families whose kids may have been in the same centres, although they believe only a “very small number of children” were actually involved.
As the AFP shared, “Based on information currently available, investigators believe the alleged behaviour of the man involves a very small number of children, however, the parents and carers of any child who may have had contact with the man has received a letter.”
Before his work at childcare centres, James had briefly been a probationary constable with NSW Police but did not finish probation and later resigned in 2023 from a civilian police role.
The NSW Police said in a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV, “During his employment, the man failed to seek the required approval to engage in secondary employment, and as such, police were unaware of his concurrent role in the childcare sector. We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community’s most vulnerable members at risk.”
The court heard arguments from both prosecution and media, including SMH, about making James’ name public. His lawyers objected, raising concerns for his safety in custody, but the magistrate said any risk would be managed by Corrective Services NSW.
James remains in custody, with the investigation continuing and more updates expected from the AFP.
This news arrives at a time when the country is being rocked by similar disturbing cases, such as the recent arrest of a Melbourne childcare worker, Joshua Brown, who faces more than 70 child abuse charges across several early learning centres in Victoria.
These cases have prompted authorities nationwide to contact affected families and review how to better protect children in care.
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