Jefferson Lewis charged with murder and sexual assault of five-year-old girl
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 3
Jefferson Lewis charged with murder and sexual assault of five-year-old girl
4 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 3
Northern Territory police said the 47-year-old faces one murder and two sexual assault charges after the girl's body was found near Alice Springs on Thursday.
He is due in Darwin court on Tuesday after being moved from Alice Springs, where he was reportedly attacked and unrest outside a hospital led police to use tear gas.
Five people were arrested over riots after the child's death, with damage and theft at a petrol station and supermarket estimated at more than A$180,000.
Will a new government plan finally curb the extreme violence plaguing Australia's Indigenous communities after this tragedy?
A violent offender was freed days before a child's murder. How did the justice system fail so catastrophically?
When riots for 'payback' follow a murder, can the modern legal system still provide justice for a grieving community?
The Tragic Murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby: Timeline, Arrest, and Community Unrest in Alice Springs
Overview
In late April 2026, five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared from Old Timers Camp near Alice Springs after being seen with Jefferson Lewis, a recently released prisoner. A large search involving police, volunteers, Indigenous trackers, and technology uncovered her body on April 30, sparking deep grief and anger in the community. Lewis was arrested but immediately assaulted by vigilantes, leading to violent riots demanding traditional payback justice. Authorities responded with force and moved Lewis to Darwin for safety. The case highlights ongoing systemic issues faced by Indigenous Australians, fueling calls for legal reform and cultural understanding while the community observes important mourning rituals.