Clothing images released in race to find former childcare worker Hamish Tait’s alleged victims
Newly released images of children's clothing are hoped to help detectives investigating a childcare worker who has been charged with hundreds of abuse crimes.
Warning: sensitive content
Images of children’s clothing items have been released publicly as part of an investigation into former childcare worker Hamish Tait.
Despite warning the images could be distressing, police are hoping they can assist with the investigation and are urging anyone who recognises them to come forward.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.They include a dinosaur puffer jacket, shorts with a blue pattern along with a T-shirt with an animal pattern, and a two-tone T-shirt.
Detectives allegedly found the images on electronic devices seized as part of their investigation, and hope the unique clothing items will be recognised by parents, carers or the general public.
Police believe they were taken between 2018 and 2023 at childcare centres at Rouse Hill and Putney in Sydney’s north-west.
Mr Tait, 35, has so far been charged with 329 offences related to the creation and distribution of child abuse material alleged to have occurred at several of the 62 childcare centres he worked at or visited, primarily in Sydney.
Police are yet to identify 22 of the alleged 158 victims, and say some of them may now be adults.
Anyone with information big or small has been urged to come forward by Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias.
“We understand this week’s news about Operation Moonbi has been tough for members of our community,” she said.
“The abuse of trust we allege has occurred is confronting.
“Our investigation will continue, and we thank the public for their co-operation, patience and support as we continue to make inquiries.”
Mr Tait has been in custody since being arrested and charged in July 2025, when police seized almost 2.5 million files from electronic devices at his home.
He was initially charged with eight counts of online child abuse material offences, and was hit with additional charges through April, June and July 2026 which now total 329 charges.
It includes 162 counts of producing child abuse material and 81 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent.
A non-publication order granted to the AFP to protect the integrity of the investigation, was lifted on Monday after a legal stoush.
Several of the centres identified as locations of potential abuse are owned by childcare provider Fit Kidz, which said it was “shocked, disgusted, saddened and sorry for the pain that has been caused”.
“Our focus has always been and will continue to be supporting those affected and strengthening the safety of children entrusted to us,” the centre said in a statement.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.
