Jefferson Lewis charged with murder after 5yo Kumanjayi Little Baby’s disappearance
Jefferson Lewis has been hit with three charges including the murder of 5-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this story includes the name and image of an Indigenous person who may have died.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been remanded in custody and charged with murder and two other offences following the death of a five-year-old girl.
Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared from her bed in a camp in Alice Springs just before 11pm last Saturday.
Picture: Supplied / NT Police.
Her body was found about 5km south of the camp on Thursday, following a large-scale search and rescue operation involving hundreds of volunteers.
Lewis was also arrested on Thursday following the five-day search.
He had not been seen since the child disappeared.
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole told a press conference on Sunday morning the formal charges would be “deeply distressing” for the wider community.
“This remains a deeply distressing matter, and our thoughts are firmly with Kumanjayi’s family, loved ones, and the wider community that have been deeply impacted by these events,” he said.
He thanked police and the community for their dedication to what was an “extensive and complex” investigation.
“I would ask that the community respect the judicial process, and I would also ask that the community continue to respect the family, as they continue to process their grief and sorrow,” he said.
“This matter is now before the courts, and as a result, it would be inappropriate for the police to provide further comment, or discuss in detail the events.”
NT Police said in a statement on Sunday: “The man was arrested in Alice Springs on Thursday evening and investigators have now charged him with murder”.
Kumanjayi Little Baby. Picture: Supplied through NT Police.
Police had transported Lewis to Darwin at the end of last week.
The alleged murderer had been held at an Alice Springs hospital after vigilante groups allegedly reached him before police at the Charles Creek camp in the NT.
His presence in the city sparked riots amongst some members of the community who wanted him to face traditional justice.
Outraged local community members took to the streets following the discovery of the five-year-old girl’s body.
Some people took the chance to loot local businesses, police alleged.
Commissioner Dole warned police were still conducting inquiries into those incidents following the charges laid against Lewis.
Police Commissioner Martin Dole fronted a press conference on Sunday. Picture: Sky News Australia / Pool.
Eleven people have so far been arrested over alleged rioting and looting, including two who handed themselves into police after NT law enforcement released footage of the alleged acts.
Stock losses totalled an estimated $200,000, police said.
Police have also released more footage of locals flooding into a service station on Thursday night.
“What you will see in this footage is not people processing grief in relation to the death of baby Kumanjayi,” he said.
“What you will see is not people trying to practise traditional law.
“What you will see is criminal behaviour, plain and simple.
“It’s abhorrent, it’s disgusting, and it will not be tolerated or accepted by the Northern Territory Police.”
Police will also investigate whether anyone assisted Lewis evade capture during the five-day search.
The case will not simply close now charges have been laid, police said.
Robin Granites, a Yapa elder and spokesperson for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby appealed for calm across the Central Australian community.
“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering,” he said.
“Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that.
“What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.”
