Note: First Nations readers are warned this story references and includes the photo of an Indigenous person who has died.
Northern Territory man Jefferson Lewis has been arrested over the alleged murder of a 5-year-old girl, who went missing from an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs on Saturday.
Late on Thursday night, Lewis was taken to an Alice Springs hospital, where unrest broke out outside. Some community members have called for him to be punished under Aboriginal law.
The girl is being referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby for cultural reasons.
Here’s a timeline of events.
Sunday 26 April
NT Police respond to reports of a missing 5-year-old girl, last seen at her home on Saturday night at Old Timers Camp, about 6km south of Alice Springs.
Old Timers is an Aboriginal town camp with a population of about 40 people. Town camps are communities that emerged in the 1970s and ’80s on the edges of NT towns in response to discriminatory laws.
Monday 27 April
Police identify 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison, as a person of interest in the girl’s disappearance.
Tuesday 28 April
The search for the girl enters day three. Community volunteers, ADF members and emergency services are among the search team.
Police establish a crime scene near Old Timers, seizing items including an adult’s yellow t-shirt, a doona and a pair of children’s underwear.
Thursday 30 April
At around 12pm (ACST), police confirm at a press conference that they have found the body of a young girl believed to be Kumanjayi Little Baby.
Kumanjayi Little Baby’s mother releases a statement, saying:
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“I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus, and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Me and your brother [Ramsiah] will meet you one day...
It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.
Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.”
On Thursday evening, Lewis is arrested and taken to Alice Springs Hospital after an alleged assault by locals.
Hundreds of community members gather outside the hospital, where unrest breaks out. Emergency services are attacked and vehicles damaged, as some call for Lewis to face “payback” under Aboriginal customary law.
Friday 1 May
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole says Lewis has been released from hospital and is in police custody.
“There is absolutely no excuse for violence against emergency services.... those people involved will face the law,” Dole says.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announces there will be no takeaway alcohol in Alice Springs on Friday, and time limits in place on Saturday.
Senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder and spokesperson for Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family, Robin Granites, has called for calm in a statement shared by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children.
“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering...
Our children are precious, of coursewe are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.
This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn.”
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