Australia Australia - Kumanjayi Little Baby, 5, missing from Aboriginal camp, Alice Springs, 25 April 2026

[SouthAussie]

I think, since his removal to Darwin, things have settled down in Alice Springs.


[NT Police Commissioner] Dole said there was a "sense of calm" in Alice Springs this morning.

The little girl's grandfather, Robin Granites, showed 9News where his granddaughter had been sleeping.
She had been staying there the night with her mother.
"It really hurts me saying it but she was just a little queen for us, she was a little daughter, she was just a little lady," he said.

Man arrested over girl's death was beaten unconscious before arrest

Police fired rubber bullets and threw tear gas canisters at a crowd demanding the man's handover.

www.9news.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Our cops, ambos & hospital staff don't get paid near what they are worth!!!


Attacking them doesn't help & there is only one person to blame here

 

[imstilla.grandma]

On Friday, NT police commissioner Martin Dole spoke to ABC TV, saying Lewis was in custody and had been transported to Darwin by police air wing.

“This is devastating news not only for the immediate and extended family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community, and all those around Australia who have been worrying for this little girl,” Dole said in a statement.

“The support shown during this time has been overwhelming and this is the worst outcome.

“It is very important the Alice Springs community continues to support one another, and it is equally important that the police continue to do their job.”

A crowd of protestors gathered outside Alice Springs Hospital on Thursday night following the arrest of Lewis. It is understood Lewis was beaten by a group of people in the area after he was recognised as the man police were looking for.

Protestors outside of the hospital were there to try and get to Lewis, demanding “payback”, according to reports. A police vehicle was set alight and tear gas was used by police.

“Safety concerns for the hospital and medical staff, safety concerns for the police and lastly safety concerns for Mr Lewis himself,” Dole said.

“Our police swear an oath to serve and protect, we don’t get to choose who we protect, so the safety of Mr Lewis was important as well.”

Alice Springs community in mourning after alleged murder of five-year-old girl

The Alice Springs community is mourning the death of a five-year-old Aboriginal girl, whose body was found on Thursday.

womensagenda.com.au

 

[Thoughtful123]

This is a useful report by the ABC on Customary Law, and Payback in the Northern Territory for those who may be interested in learning more. The process to healing is complex, and nuanced between family and community members of victims and perpetrators and at time conflicts with white colonial approaches to justice.

 

[SouthAussie]

Robin Granites, senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder, grandfather of Kumanjayi Little Baby and spokesperson for the family, has appealed for calm across the central Australian community.

"It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering.
Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that.

What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.

This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family.

If you need to come to join sorry business, that’s fine. But just come for that, then return home please.
Now is not the time to be heroes on social media or make trouble.

We must be mindful Mparntwe is traditional country for central Arrernte, and east and western Arrernte as well. We must respect that and their ways.

We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way."

News live: Australian hiker missing in Nova Scotia not heard from for two weeks; Kumanjayi Little Baby’s grandfather calls for calm

Follow updates

www.theguardian.com

 

[mickey2942]

Our cops, ambos & hospital staff don't get paid near what they are worth!!!


Attacking them doesn't help & there is only one person to blame here

Imagine having to protect him against a mob. And saving his life, and life flight him away for everyone's safety.

We are such a civilized society. Doesn't seem to make much sense sometimes.

 

[Lisbeth_S]

Live press conference with some of the elders of the community speaking

 

[Lisbeth_S]

I want to leave this beautiful photo here (from The NT news, taken at the riots in front of the hospital in Alice Springs).
It reminded me that the two worlds can coexist.

 

[SouthAussie]

"He has been given a “fit for custody” and has been released from Northern Territory Health and he is now with NT police in our custody. His injuries are not significant enough to keep him in hospital."

Australia news live: Jefferson Lewis was unconscious when apprehended, police say; Kumanjayi Little Baby’s grandfather calls for calm in Alice Springs

Follow updates

www.theguardian.com

 

[drsleuth]

"He has been given a “fit for custody” and has been released from Northern Territory Health and he is now with NT police in our custody. His injuries are not significant enough to keep him in hospital."

Australia news live: Jefferson Lewis was unconscious when apprehended, police say; Kumanjayi Little Baby’s grandfather calls for calm in Alice Springs

Follow updates

www.theguardian.com

That's good. I thought as much seeing he was flown out by police air wing & not a medical retrevial.

 

[PromotedPawn]

"He has been given a “fit for custody” and has been released from Northern Territory Health and he is now with NT police in our custody. His injuries are not significant enough to keep him in hospital."

Australia news live: Jefferson Lewis was unconscious when apprehended, police say; Kumanjayi Little Baby’s grandfather calls for calm in Alice Springs

Follow updates

www.theguardian.com

I hope they put him in the same prison as Little Baby's dad. That would be the best place for him. MOO

 

[Marg944]

“One Alice Springs resident, who did not want to be identified due to safety concerns, pleaded with the Prime Minister to urgently bring in the army ahead of more feared unrest, saying local police simply did not have the resources.

“The Warlpiri mob ... when they go off they go off,” he told news.com.au.

“This is what we always feared with this because he’s a Warlpiri and she’s a Warlpiri girl. You have a thing called payback, so now they can’t get to him they go for the other family members. This won’t stop. I’m hearing now there’s a lot of people from Yuendumu coming in.”

https://www.news.com.au/national/man-alleged-to-have-abducted-5yo-arrested/news-story/9bfe8d402c55f9e46ef0639e36d0400f

 

[Ladyotm]

This is a useful report by the ABC on Customary Law, and Payback in the Northern Territory for those who may be interested in learning more. The process to healing is complex, and nuanced between family and community members of victims and perpetrators and at time conflicts with white colonial approaches to justice.

Sweet rest for Kumanjayi Little Baby .

I am glad the monster was apprehended.
The photo shared earlier of the officer hugging a crying community leader is touching and provides hope. I hope all officers are safe and any injuries are minor. Does anyone know statistics on number of Aborgines (forgive my spelling/grammar if incorrect) on the local police force?

Bess, the tribal leader from the video said Payback used to work, but it's now alcohol fueled. The authorities suspended some alcohol sales after the community's response to his capture. Is drinking/alcoholism a huge problem in these communities? )

I can certainly agree with their concept of justice. Mutually agreed upon approach. Accountability. Both families and community involved. Healing and reconciliation. Perhaps if the people were assured that the government ( who may view their actions as violent revenge) system of justice was fair and included the same characteristics of payback, they would be more likely to embrace it.

All MOO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

At the time of his apprehension by us, he was unconscious and he was in the process of being treated by St John's Ambulance when they were set upon, as were the police," he told a news conference.

Lewis was then taken to hospital.

"A large crowd gathered and tried to gain access to that hospital," the police commissioner said.

"We called out all the resources we had available to quell that violent disturbance. And just let me say that the behaviour that we saw last night cannot be explained away, excused or accepted."

Dole said "a number" of police were injured at the hospital, and one officer was treated for a head wound inflicted during the suspect's arrest.

Ambulance and fire crew members were also attacked, he said, with one fire and rescue officer receiving a "significant facial injury".

Clashes erupt in Australian town over death of Indigenous girl

An angry crowd clashed with Australian police outside a hospital treating the suspected killer of a five-year-old Indigenous girl in the outback town of Alice Springs.

www.fairfieldsuntimes.com

 

[Monkey2]

A Channel 10 cameraman was pepper sprayed and a bit OTT by a young police officer

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=970547738662181

View this content on Instagram

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https://www.tiktok.com/video/7634748877991611655

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2050047130488779112

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Sharon Granites was last seen after her parents tucked her into bed about 11.30pm on Saturday, and police suspect 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, a recently released prisoner, is behind her disappearance.

“He was last seen with the little girl holding hands at around about 11 o’clock that night,” said Northern Territory (NT) Police’s Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence Peter Malley. He added: “We believe Jefferson Lewis has led the little girl away to that crime scene.”

Malley said Jefferson, who has a long criminal history, including assault and domestic violence charges, had been released from prison just six days ago. He has no known priors relating to offences against a child.

Stuff: Latest breaking news | New Zealand

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Daphne_Blake]

Sweet rest for Kumanjayi Little Baby .

I am glad the monster was apprehended.
The photo shared earlier of the officer hugging a crying community leader is touching and provides hope. I hope all officers are safe and any injuries are minor. Does anyone know statistics on number of Aborgines (forgive my spelling/grammar if incorrect) on the local police force?

Bess, the tribal leader from the video said Payback used to work, but it's now alcohol fueled. The authorities suspended some alcohol sales after the community's response to his capture. Is drinking/alcoholism a huge problem in these communities? )

I can certainly agree with their concept of justice. Mutually agreed upon approach. Accountability. Both families and community involved. Healing and reconciliation. Perhaps if the people were assured that the government ( who may view their actions as violent revenge) system of justice was fair and included the same characteristics of payback, they would be more likely to embrace it.

All MOO

Just a heads up, the correct term is Aboriginal people or First Nations people. The word you used is an old slur and isn't used anymore.

Aboriginal people are a minority among Australia's police force (and the Australia population generally due to genocide)- last I heard around 2% or less of the entire country's police force is Aboriginal. Aboriginal people generally have a deep distrust of police due to historical and ongoing racism.

Yes, alcohol is a huge problem in these remote impoverished communities due to a mix of deeply rooted issues (socioeconomic disadvantage, historical trauma, limited access to support services, etc). It's really sad, and these remote communities also have significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse.

I agree with their concept of justice too. It also makes sense why they don't trust the government, would you trust a government that not only historically committed genocide against your people, but still does it to this day?

 

[Witch Doctor]

I definitely find myself checking my privilege in this case and trying to form a complete grasp of the situation from the aboriginal perspective. It seems that there was a big drunken party the night she disappeared and her immediate family was not keeping especially close track of her. Initially I was only refraining from comments on that because I was afraid I would stray into victim blaming but now as I see the complete tribal response, my perspective is evolving.

It seems that everyone present in that particular camp on that particular night was seen by one another as close, trusted family. In a parallel way to Western cases where sometimes a cousin or uncle is allowed into a household and ends up abusing the trust and victimizing a child in the home, it seems like these tribal families trusted the perpetrator implicitly despite his recent prison release.

So I ask myself how this could be, in the likelihood that Little Baby's mother had no idea of that particular tribesman's history. I guess that his *immediate* family knew and by bringing him into the camp, tacitly "spoke for" him as trustworthy. The way that could functionally work only is now crystallizing for me upon seeing the community's response. I wonder if the only reason they initially just beat him unconscious rather than immediately killing him was so they could make an example of him by letting everyone see how he suffered before he died - and I can see how in a system of justice like that, if the debt isn't "paid back" adequately by the perpetrator how it might fall somewhat onto his immediate family who were expected to use their better knowledge of him to judge if he should be allowed in the tribe, at the camp, to take part in celebrations.

A system of justice that functions like that, in which the members have seen for themselves the horrible fate that awaits them if they break the sacred trust in this most egregious way imaginable, people might actually be able to relax and completely "let their guard down" even among a large group of people. I guess that's part of what a tribe is actually all about.

So - is it actually right for our "white" justice system to interfere with theirs? I've put a lot of effort into trying to embrace cultural sensitivity and I can't help but feel like the white authorities here are only taking it half way. They allow the tribes to live in their camps and have their celebrations but it seems like "in my opinion" perhaps the much less extreme white justice consequences erode the security the tribespeople are accustomed to having.

I have to wonder if this monster wasn't actually emboldened by his stay in prison, thinking "if that's all that happens to me then I might as well do the completely atrocious things I actually want to do"?