Alleged abductor arrested after girl’s body found
A recently released prisoner was arrested after a search for a kidnapped girl ended in tragedy.
The search for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis intensified after the body of a child was found at the weekend, about 5 kilometers from where a five-year-old boy disappeared near Alice Springs.
Police said it is believed to belong to the missing girl, who was named Kumanjayi Little Doll at the request of her family.
“Recently, the Northern Territory Police Force located and arrested Jefferson Lewis at a residence in Alice Springs,” authorities said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“More information will be available early in the morning.”
Earlier on Thursday, police had sent a worrying message to the suspect who kidnapped and killed the girl.
“We’re coming for you,” Northern Territory Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Malley said.
“Our focus is on locating Jefferson Lewis; that is our only job in this investigation at this time.”
The girl went missing after being put to bed at a house in the Old Timers camp, near Alice Springs, on Saturday night.
Lewis is accused of kidnapping her just six days after he was released from prison.
This sparked one of the NT’s biggest investigations, with nearly 200 people scouring harsh desert terrain to find the unspeakable girl and Lewis.
The boy’s body was found around noon on Thursday, the fifth day of the search.
Police said forensic analysis of a pair of children’s underwear found during the investigation was linked to both Lewis and the girl.
Police are adamant Lewis received help from people in the community and remained in the Alice Springs area.
“To the family of Jefferson Lewis: We believe he killed this child, do not help him,” Mr. Malley said.
“Take him to the police station, we’ll take care of him.”
Lewis was sentenced to 64 months in prison between 2016 and 2025 for offenses including aggravated assault, breaching a domestic violence order, breaching bail and resisting police.
NT Premier Lia Finocchiaro did not rule out a reward or policy response as police searched for Lewis after expressing her condolences for the girl’s heartbroken family.
“Everything is on the table. The police investigation will guide us,” he said.
“A poor young lady lost her life and the police are currently working to prevent this from happening again and to catch the person who did it.”
Police said the autopsy examination, expected to be performed within a few days, will be important in determining the cause and timing of the girl’s death.
While the girl’s family was shaken by the tragedy, the coronation ceremony began.
The devastated family of Little Baby Kumanjayi remembered their beloved daughter and thanked everyone who participated in the search.
“I know he is in heaven with the rest of his family,” his mother said in a statement.
“Me and your brother will meet you one day. We give our lives to Jesus.
“It’s going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.”
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
13THREAD 13 92 76
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