Australian Federal Police send shocking email to Sydney parents about accused predator lurking among after-school care staff
The Australian Federal Police and NSW Police have sent an alarming email to thousands of Sydney parents to inform them a sexual predator, who was charged last year with more than a dozen offences, lurked among after-school care staff.
More than 1000 families were contacted, 2GB host Ben Fordham revealed on Thursday.
The man was charged in October 2024 and cannot be named due to strict court orders to prevent his former workplaces from being revealed and to protect the identity of victims.
The AFP contacted the parents via email on Tuesday and confirmed the correspondence in a carefully worded statement on Thursday, providing specific details on the situation, alleging only a 'very small number of children' were victimised by the man.
'The letter provides instructions on how to contact a local hotline if parents or carers have concerns about their child,' the statement read.
The identity, age, gender and charges laid against the offender were omitted from the email, but it is understood he was a male worker.
The Daily Telegraph reported the man was charged with aggravated use of a child under 14 years old for the production of child abuse material, and possession of child abuse material, among other offences.
According to the outlet, the parents contacted by email had children who attended a school-based out-of-school-hours (OOSH) centre on Sydney's upper north shore.
'I am writing to let you know that the Australian Federal Police, with the assistance of the NSW Police Force are investigating an allegation of inappropriate conduct towards children by a former employee of (the centre),' the letter read.
'Records indicate this person worked at (the centre) at the time that your child attended.
'Based on information currently to hand, Police believe it is highly unlikely the alleged behaviour of the employee directly involved your child (or children) however, we are writing to ensure you are informed of these allegations so you can continue to support your child (or children).'
A father whose daughters, aged 8 and 10, attend the school's OOSH centre told The Daily Telegraph the principal of the school had only been contacted one day before parents were told.
He said the principal was not told about the full contents of the email and was not informed of the nature of the offences. The father also said the school and its staff were not interviewed by police.
'The thing that really upset me in the email (from police) is that they said it was 'highly unlikely' my kids are involved, but ... how do you know if no-one's asked them?' he said.
'I think it's crazy that everyone's been told to keep quiet … Keeping it from (parents) is not the right way to go about this.'
SkyNews.com.au contacted the AFP who declined to provide any further information.
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