Charges Filed in Death of 5-Year-Old Girl
Warning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: This article contains references to someone who has died.
A man has been charged with murder and two counts of sexual assault following the death of a five-year-old girl in Australia.
The body of the girl, identified only as Kumanjayi Little Baby, a pseudonym given by her family after her death for cultural reasons, was discovered on Thursday after several days of an extensive police search.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, was charged with her murder on Saturday night and is scheduled to appear in a Darwin court on Tuesday.
Five individuals have been arrested in connection with violent riots in Alice Springs that were sparked by the child's death.
Police Statement and Community Impact
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced the charges against Lewis on Sunday morning.
"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.
Dole urged the community to respect the judicial process.
Lewis was reportedly attacked in the central Australian town before his arrest on Thursday.
Family Statements and Calls for Calm
In a statement released on Thursday, Kumanjayi Little Baby's mother, who has not been named, expressed her grief and love for her daughter.
"It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you," she said.
"We know you are in heaven with the rest of the family and Jesus. Me and your brother will meet you one day."
Kumanjayi Little Baby's grandfather called for calm on Friday.
"What has happened this week is not our way," said Robin Granites, a senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder, in a statement.
"Our children are precious, of course we 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 Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family."
Riots and Police Response
Violent riots erupted outside the Alice Springs hospital where Lewis was being treated for injuries, prompting police to transfer him to Darwin, approximately 1,500 km (930 miles) north of Alice Springs.
Video footage shows dozens of people gathering outside the hospital on Thursday night, with some throwing projectiles, leading police to deploy tear gas.
Protesters were also seen attacking police vehicles, with at least one van reportedly set on fire.
Commissioner Dole described the riots as "disgusting" and "abhorrent."
Police released additional footage showing crowds swarming a petrol station near the hospital, taking items from shelves before leaving quickly.
Before releasing the footage, Dole told reporters:
"What you will see in this footage is not people processing grief in relation to the death of Baby Kumanjayi.
What you will see is criminal behaviour, plain and simple."
Police estimate that property damage and stolen goods from the petrol station and a supermarket exceed A$180,000 ($130,000; £95,000).
Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, reported that some individuals in the crowd outside the hospital called for Lewis to face "payback" and accused police of protecting him.
"Payback" refers to traditional punishment under Aboriginal customary law in Central Australia, typically carried out by elders to restore harmony between Indigenous families and groups.
Background on Kumanjayi Little Baby's Disappearance
Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared last Saturday after being put to bed at an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs just before midnight.
Following the discovery of her body, her family assigned her a pseudonym for use during their mourning period.
This practice is part of the cultural traditions of Australia's Indigenous Warlpiri people, who believe that using the name of a deceased loved one during mourning may disturb their spirit.
