Police release images of clothes to help identify victims of alleged Sydney childcare paedophile

AFP release images of children’s clothes found on electronic devices seized as part of investigation into Hamish Tait

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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, 35, has 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.

The clothes included the puffer jacket, shorts with a blue pattern, 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 300 calls with information.

“Every image may contain a clue that helps identify a child,” Australian federal police Det Acting Insp 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,” Tsardoulias said.

Police believe the images were taken between 2018 and 2023 at childcare centres at Rouse Hill and Putney, in Sydney’s north-west.

The investigation has identified a further six victims, reducing the total number of unidentified children to 16.

Tait has been in custody since being arrested and charged in July 2025, when police seized almost 2.5m 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.

“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.