- Former kindergarten cleaner Christopher Rankin, 35, has been charged after police allegedly found more than 5,000 child abuse images, including footage from a hidden bathroom camera.
- Rankin, who also worked as a teacher’s aide, allegedly stored digitally altered images and hundreds of files showing pre-pubescent girls, with at least one known victim identified.
- He faces charges of producing and possessing child abuse material and was granted bail under strict conditions, including no internet use and living with his parents.
- Court proceedings continue, with Rankin due back in November, and police say further charges are possible.
Christopher Rankin, 35, has been charged after police allegedly found more than 5,000 child abuse images – Image Facebook
MILDURA — A former kindergarten cleaner has been charged with multiple offences after police allegedly uncovered more than 5,000 images of child abuse material, including footage filmed with a hidden bathroom camera.
The case has heightened public concern over child safety in education settings, coming amid a series of high-profile childcare abuse investigations across Victoria.
Authorities and advocacy groups say the charges underscore the urgent need for stronger safeguards to protect children from predatory behaviour.
Christopher Rankin, 35, who also worked as a teacher’s aide at Merbein P–10 College, was arrested in June following an investigation by the Mildura Sexual Offences and Child Investigation Team, ABC News reported.
Detective Senior Constable Jake Casey said investigators recovered “approximately 5,000 images of child abuse material from electronic devices, with further analysis required on a computer tower” (ABC News).
The collection reportedly included digitally altered images and footage captured in bathrooms. Casey described Rankin as “tech-savvy” and said that while the risk of interference with the investigation was “diminished, but not extinguished,” precautions were in place to protect potential victims (BBC News).
During a recent hearing in the Mildura Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that one folder contained more than 300 images of pre-pubescent girls, including a known victim.
The victim’s mother told reporters the discovery had devastated her family, saying “everything has just fallen apart” (Herald Sun).
Rankin has been charged with producing and possessing child abuse material, including digitally altered images. He was granted bail on the condition that he reside with his parents, avoid using the internet except for essential services, and not interfere with witnesses (ABC News).
Court proceedings are ongoing, with Rankin scheduled to reappear in the Mildura Magistrates’ Court on 5 November 2025. Police have indicated further charges may be laid as the investigation continues (BBC News).