The girl, referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby due to cultural protocols, went missing from a town camp on the night of April 25-26. Her body was located about 5 km from her home. NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed the discovery, calling it 'the worst possible outcome'.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Jefferson Lewis, a 47-year-old man, was arrested on April 30 after being found and beaten unconscious by locals at Charles Creek town camp. Police said Lewis is the suspect in the girl's abduction and murder.
We are calling for calm. We want justice to take its course.
According to multiple reports, Lewis was a distant relative of the girl and had been staying at the same residence. Police said he was seen leading the girl by the hand around 11 pm on the night of her disappearance. Lewis had a criminal history including violent convictions and had recently been released from prison.
According to police, a shirt, child's underwear, and a duvet cover were found in the Todd River bed, and forensic testing detected both Lewis's and the child's DNA on the underwear. Lewis was charged with murder and other offenses. According to locals, the assault on Lewis involved rocks, a pram, and a stick, and over 30 people participated.
The violence we saw last night was unacceptable. It cannot be excused.
He was taken to Alice Springs hospital with a head wound. A crowd of about 400 people gathered at the hospital, clashing with police and emergency services. The crowd threw projectiles, lit fires, and damaged emergency vehicles, including a police car set ablaze.
Police used tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Several police officers, ambulance officers, and a firefighter were injured. One woman was arrested for attempted arson, and more arrests were expected.
Payback is not the way. We have a justice system that must be allowed to work.
The crowd at the hospital called for 'payback', a traditional punishment. Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced a day-long ban on takeaway alcohol sales in Alice Springs to quell violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed heartbreak and called for calm.
'This is heartbreaking news. I know all Australians will be feeling the same way. I just say to people, please, let the justice system take its course.
He's not like that. I'm shocked.
Let the police do their job,' he said. The girl's family, through elder Robin Granites, also called for calm. According to Daily Mail - News, Robin Granites described the family's desire for justice to take its course.
Police Commissioner Martin Dole condemned the violence as unacceptable and said it cannot be excused. According to TV4 Nyheterna, local leader Michael Liddle described that payback is not the way and the justice system must be allowed to work. The girl's grandmother Karen White is in poor health, overwhelmed by grief, and refuses to return to the home, family members said.
My baby girl, my heart is broken. God give me strength.
The girl's mother, Jacinta White, was in a safe house and later visited her sick mother. The girl's father, Raphael Granites, learned of the disappearance from prison. The girl is non-verbal and communicates mostly through hand gestures.
The girl's mother released a statement expressing grief and religious sentiments. 'My baby girl, my heart is broken. God give me strength,' she said.
This is the worst possible outcome.
Lewis was moved to Darwin for safety and further treatment. He was excused from his first court appearance on May 5, 2026, and the case was adjourned to July 30. The girl's family criticized the legal system for failing to communicate with them about the court hearing, according to family elder Robin Granites.
According to Daily Mail - News, Lewis's aunt Mary Lewis described her shock, saying he is not like that. The search for the girl was one of the biggest investigations for NT Police in a long time, with resources comparable to the Peter Falconio case, Commissioner Dole said. He had earlier stated that the 'timeframe of survivability' was coming to an end.
The timeframe of survivability is coming to an end.
Police consulted survival experts during the investigation. Commissioner Dole believed some people had knowledge of Lewis's whereabouts and warned that severe penalties could apply to those who help a person during or after a crime. Looting and damage to businesses occurred after Lewis's arrest, with police investigating and making arrests.
This is one of the biggest investigations for NT Police in a long time, with resources comparable to the Peter Falconio case.