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A tiny dinosaur puffer jacket could lead police to more victims of a former childcare worker and alleged prolific child sex offender.
Federal police have released pictures of clothing from children they want to identify, urging parents and carers who recognise the items to come forward.
Hamish Tait, ۳۵, has been charged with ۳۲۹ offences related to the creation and distribution of child abuse material alleged to have occurred at several of the ۶۲ childcare centres he worked at or visited, primarily in Sydney.
The clothes included the puffer jacket, shorts with a blue pattern and a T-shirt with an animal pattern, and a two-tone T-shirt.
Detectives found the images on electronic devices seized as part of their investigation into Tait.
In about two days, officers have received more than ۳۰۰ calls with information.
“Every image may contain a clue that helps identify a child,” Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said.
“Our victim ID team is tenacious, they’re committed and will stop at nothing to identify children or victims of child sexual exploitation.”
The detective admitted it was impossible not to consider the allegations and their potential impact as a parent himself.
“We understand families want answers quickly, but we must be thorough to identify every victim to protect the investigation and ensure families receive the right support,” Det Insp Tsardoulias said.
Police believe the images were taken between ۲۰۱۸ and ۲۰۲۳ at childcare centres at Rouse Hill and Putney, in Sydney’s northwest.
The investigation has identified a further six victims, reducing the total number of unidentified children down to ۱۶.
Tait has been in custody since being arrested and charged in July ۲۰۲۵, when police seized almost ۲.۵ 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 ۲۰۲۶ which now total ۳۲۹ charges.
It includes ۱۶۲ counts of producing child abuse material and ۸۱ 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.
“Our focus has always been and will continue to be supporting those affected and strengthening the safety of children entrusted to us,” Fit Kidz said in a statement.
