Three child protection workers have been stood down after the murder of an Aboriginal girl
Three child protection workers in Australia’s Northern Territory have been stood down following an investigation into the handling of welfare concerns involving a five-year-old Aboriginal girl who was later found murdered.
The child, referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby for cultural reasons, disappeared from an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs on 25 April. Her body was discovered five days later, prompting a major police investigation and widespread public concern.
Police have since arrested and charged 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis with murder. The case has also triggered unrest in Alice Springs, including violent clashes outside a hospital after the arrest.
Northern Territory Child Protection Minister Robyn Cahill said the decision to suspend the three workers followed an internal review she ordered into how the child’s case was managed before her death. She said she initially received advice suggesting there were no immediate concerns, but insisted on a deeper investigation after the girl was reported missing.
The suspensions come amid growing scrutiny of child welfare systems in the territory. Reports indicate that at least six separate warnings about the child’s wellbeing were raised in the weeks leading up to her death, including concerns from domestic violence support workers and a family member.
The girl was last seen being put to bed at the Old Timers Camp in Alice Springs on Anzac Day night. She was reported missing hours later, sparking a large-scale search operation. Her body was later found several kilometres from the camp.
Following the discovery, tensions escalated in the community, resulting in riots and several arrests. Police say the accused was also assaulted by members of the public before being taken into custody and later transferred to Darwin for his safety.
Authorities have not yet released detailed findings of the child protection review but say further investigations are ongoing into whether warning signs were properly acted upon.
Indigenous leaders have urged calm and called for respect during a period of mourning, known as “sorry business,” which is observed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities after a death. Cultural protocols also restrict the use of the child’s name and image.
Vigils are being held across Australia in memory of the child, as pressure mounts on authorities to review child protection practices and address systemic failures highlighted by the case.
