Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article includes the image of a deceased Indigenous individual, used with her family’s consent.

The Minister for Child Protection in the Northern Territory, Robyn Cahill, announced that three child protection staff members have been suspended following an inquiry into the events surrounding Kumanjayi Little Baby prior to her alleged murder last month.

The remains of the five-year-old were discovered near the Old Timers / Ilyperenye town camp in Alice Springs last week, and a 47-year-old man named Jefferson Lewis has since been charged with her murder.

During a press briefing in Darwin today, Ms. Cahill stated that she had contacted the department to assess whether there were any significant issues related to Kumanjayi, as requested by her family. “I was informed that there were no concerning circumstances,” she explained.

“I then sought a comprehensive report, and while I cannot disclose specific details from that report, it was essential to examine how the relevant procedures had been implemented,” she added.

According to Ms. Cahill, following the preliminary investigation, the department made the decision to suspend three employees. “That was not my decision; it was made by the department,” she clarified.

Although reports suggest that Kumanjayi was familiar to the suspended workers, the extent of their involvement remains unclear. The Northern Territory government has indicated that it is unable to publicly disclose information regarding the department’s actions prior to the girl’s disappearance.