Heartbreaking Update: Police Release New Images in Desperate Bid to Identify Alleged Childcare Ab-use Vic-tims
Warning: This story contains images and details that some readers may find distressing.
New clothing images have been released as police seek to identify more alleged victims of former Sydney childcare worker Hamish Tait.
Tait, 35, who has been charged with more than 320 child abuse offences, attended or worked at 62 centres between 2009 and 2025, when he was arrested.
Hamish Tait has been charged with 329 offences. Supplied
He is accused of committing child abuse offences against more than 150 alleged victims in those 16 years, mostly at centres in Sydney’s north-west.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias today said the initial count of 22 additional unidentified alleged victims had dropped to 16.
A puffer vest with dinosaur patterns. The images were likely taken on June 26, 2023, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre. Australian Federal Police
Investigators say the new clothing images were captured on electronic devices seized as part of the investigation into Tait.
The clothing items include a puffer vest with a distinctive dinosaur, or dinosaur skeleton, pattern.
The images with the vest were likely taken on June 26, 2023, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre.
The images of the garment were captured indoors and outdoors, which accounts for the differing tone between pictures.
There was also a pair of shorts with a blue pattern and a t-shirt with an animal pattern on the front and left shoulder.
The image is believed to be taken between February 18, 2020, and March 3, 2024, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre.
Finally, there was a two-tone t-shirt, with the image likely taken on January 9, 2018, at a Putney childcare centre.
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Anybody who recognises these items of clothing is urged to contact the multi-agency Local Contact Point on 02 9765 1000.
The shorts and t-shirt with an animal pattern. The image is believed to be taken sometime between February 18, 2020, and March 3, 2024, at a Rouse Hill childcare centre. Australian Federal Police
The LCP offers the community more information about Tait’s employment history and his involvement at facilities, and offers access to support resources.
It will be open from 7am to 7pm until July 26.
It has received more than 300 calls so far, police say.
Tsardoulias hopes the unique items could be recognised by parents, carers or the general public.
The two-tone t-shirt. The image was likely taken on January 9, 2018, at a Putney childcare centre Australian Federal Police
“Any information, big or small, may assist the victim identification process,” AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said.
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“We understand this week’s news about Operation Moonbi has been tough for members of our community. The abuse of trust we allege has occurred is confronting.”
Tsardoulias said police had spoken to two more families since the previous update from the AFP.
He said “a couple” alleged victims had been identified in South Australia, but stressed that the investigation was ongoing.
Tait, who has been in custody since his arrest, was only able to be publicly identified earlier this week after a judge lifted a non-publication order.
He was arrested on June 20, 2025, after Operation Moonbi launched an investigation into a file uploaded online which allegedly depicted child abuse.
He has been charged with 329 offences.
It’s alleged Tait committed those offences at five facilities, including four childcare centres and his own business.
