Accused outback child killer to stay behind bars

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the image of a person who is deceased.

A man accused of murdering a five‑year‑old girl near the outback town of Alice Springs remains behind bars after his case came before a Northern Territory court for the first time.

Jefferson Lewis, 47, was expected to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday via video link from custody in Darwin, where he is being held over the alleged murder of five‑year‑old Kumanjayi Little Baby.

His appearance was excused, no application for bail was made, and the case was adjourned to July 30.

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The alleged killing has horrified the tight‑knit community, which spent anxious days scouring creek beds and scrub for the missing girl before her body was found in bushland outside the town five days after she disappeared.

Kumanjayi – the name used in line with cultural tradition after her death – vanished from a home in a town camp, triggering a massive land and air search across central Australia.

Lewis was arrested at another Alice Springs town camp after being beaten unconscious by locals.

He was placed under guard at Alice Springs Hospital, where a large, angry crowd gathered demanding he face traditional justice, before he was flown to Darwin by the NT Police air wing for his own protection.

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The alleged murder gained nationwide attention and fuelled days of unrest, including looting and attacks on emergency services.

Crowds demanded traditional justice, with emergency workers attacked and police vehicles and ambulances damaged.

More than a dozen people have since been arrested over the unrest, while police are also searching for people they believe sheltered Lewis during the days‑long search.

Nine days after she was last seen on April 25, the community remains gripped by grief and anger.

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Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy told ABC's 7.30 program it was important to remember Kumanjayi was very loved by her family, who were in deep mourning and did not want her death to be turned into a political fight.

She also backed National Children's Commissioner Sue‑Anne Hunter, who said children cannot be safe in overcrowded or rundown houses and that governments still had "a hell of a lot of work" to do to keep Aboriginal children safe.

Candlelight vigils for Kumanjayi are planned for Thursday and mourners have been asked to wear pink, her favourite colour, as the community comes together to grieve and remember her short life.

For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).

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