Body Found Believed to Be Missing 5-Year-Old Girl in Alice Springs

Northern Territory Police have found a body believed to be that of Kumanjayi Little Baby, a missing five-year-old Aboriginal girl from Alice Springs.

The discovery was made just before midday local time on Thursday, approximately five kilometres south of the Old Timers town camp where she was last seen late on Saturday night.

Authorities have confirmed the body is believed to be that of Kumanjayi Little Baby, whose family requested she be referred to by this culturally appropriate name.

Police are actively searching for a 47-year-old man, Jefferson Lewis, who is suspected of abducting and killing the child.

Lewis was seen with the girl on the night she disappeared.

Forensic analysis has identified two DNA profiles on a pair of the child's underwear found at the crime scene: one matching Kumanjayi Little Baby and the other matching Jefferson Lewis.

Lewis has a significant criminal history, including convictions for serious assaults, contravening domestic violence orders, breaching bail, and resisting police.

He had been released from prison only six days before the disappearance.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole described the discovery as "an incredibly distressing development" and confirmed that Kumanjayi Little Baby's family has been formally notified.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley stated the police's sole focus is to locate Jefferson Lewis and bring him to justice, urging Lewis's family not to assist him and to encourage him to surrender to authorities.

The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, expressed her condolences to the grieving family and community, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting the investigation and the community.

The case has deeply affected the Alice Springs community and broader Northern Territory, highlighting ongoing concerns about child safety and the impact of recent criminal justice decisions.

A postmortem examination is scheduled to be conducted to establish the cause and timing of death, which will be a critical step in the ongoing criminal investigation and forthcoming coronial process.

The search for Jefferson Lewis continues, with police appealing to the public for any information that could assist in locating him.

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