A childcare worker who raised concerns about one of Australia’s worst pedophiles has been acquitted and had charges dropped against her for accessing confidential records.
Yolanda Borucki, 59, was accused of using a restricted computer service and causing over $5,000 in harm to her former employer.
She previously worked alongside Queensland childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith, 45, who was sentenced to life in prison in November for 1,600 child abuse offenses.
Ms. Borucki and Griffith were colleagues at the same childcare center in 2021, and she played a role in reporting him to authorities that year.
The charges against Ms. Borucki stemmed from her alleged access to confidential records on children at a care center on August 3 from her home in Brisbane, which she then sent to a reporter at the Nine Network’s A Current Affair.
After the report aired, Ms. Borucki was charged, but on Friday, Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan found her not guilty and dismissed the charges due to lack of evidence proving she used a work computer to send the emails.
Supporters of Ms. Borucki applauded in the courtroom upon hearing the verdict, and she was visibly emotional.
Her defense counsel, Ron Behlau, stated that the charges should never have been brought against her and commended her actions as heroic. He expressed her relief and readiness for any inquiry into how such a situation was allowed to occur.
For support, individuals can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service at 1800 211 028.