Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family ‘relieved’ after charges laid, warns against politicisation

“Our little baby’s passing must not become a politician issue or an argument,” a family spokesperson has said.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story includes the name and image of an Indigenous person who has passed away.

This article may be distressing to some readers.

The family of a five-year-old girl allegedly murdered in Central Australia has expressed relief that police have laid charges against a suspect and urged that the tragedy not be turned into a political issue.

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“The family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, our queen, is very relieved that charges have been made, and the man will face the court,” Warlpiri Elder and family spokesperson Robin Japanangka Granites told NITV News on Sunday.

“We must now let the justice system do its work,” said Granites, who identifies as the child’s grandfather.

Police announced earlier on Sunday that they had charged 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis with the murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby, following his arrest earlier this week.

Since being detained on Thursday, Lewis has been charged with one count of murder and two other charges that cannot be reported due to legal restrictions. He is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.

The body of Kumanjayi Little Baby was discovered at around midday on Thursday by police, approximately 5km from where she had disappeared days before.

Granites also reiterated previous calls for Alice Springs to remain calm and asked that all people come together “in respecting this time of Sorry Business and mourning”.

“I also ask all our politicians, leaders to be respectful of this sorry time,” he said.

“We too need to work together on this, on many issues facing our people and communities here in Central Australia, but our little baby’s passing must not become a politician issue or an argument.”

Kumanjayi Little Baby — as she has been referred to since her death for cultural reasons — was last seen alive by members of her family at Alice Springs’ Old Timers town camp on Sunday last week. Source: Supplied / PR HANDOUT

Northern Territory Opposition legal affairs spokesperson Chansey Paech also said it was important to focus on the human dimension of the tragedy.

“It’s really important with all of the national headlines and stories and conversations that we don’t lose sight of what really, truly matters here, and that is the heartbreaking loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby,” he told NITV News on Sunday.

“To see that those charges have been laid, we’re able now to move to the next process of letting the justice system begin its job … and not losing focus on the role of supporting and helping families through this time of incredible sadness,” he added.

Additional arrests over Alice Springs riot

Police also announced on Sunday that there had been additional arrests relating to “riotous behaviour” around the Alice Springs hospital on Thursday, where locals gathered after news emerged that Lewis was being treated there following his arrest.

Police say the events resulted in over $180,000 in damages and losses.

Five people have now been arrested, police said on Sunday morning, after a service station and supermarket were damaged and burgled.

Community members clashed with police outside Alice Springs Hospital, where the man suspected of murdering Kumanjayi Little Baby was taken after being arrested. Source: AAP / Rhett Hammerton

“Following a review into CCTV and media outlet footage, five people aged 18, 26, 34, 46 and 49 have all been arrested and remain in custody with charges expected to follow,” local police said in a statement.

“Further offenders have been identified, and multiple arrests are expected to be made in coming days.”

This article was produced in collaboration with NITV News with reporting by Emma Kellaway and Josh van Staden.