Kumanjayi Little Baby: damning report finds ‘heartbreaking’ child protection failures before five-year-old’s death

A damning report has revealed shocking child protection failures that preceded the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, a five-year-old Warlpiri girl. The Northern Territory government announced sweeping reforms in May, following her alleged abduction and death. In April, five days after her abduction, Kumanjayi was found dead in Alice Springs. Jefferson Lewis, a 47-year-old man not related to the child or known to her mother, was charged with murder. He is currently in custody, awaiting a plea.

The report, conducted by former New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb and senior public servant Greg Shanahan, was commissioned by the NT government in response to Kumanjayi's death. It highlights a recurring pattern of police and department staff inadequately assessing risks to children. The government accepted all 45 recommendations made by the report, which was released in July.

Kumanjayi's family had been known to the department before her birth. Her mother experienced multiple assaults during her pregnancy. In an attempt to protect her, a safety plan was put in place, relying on adults from the family network. However, none of these individuals underwent police checks or background checks. One adult had a history of violent crimes, including five counts of threat-to-kill. The report questions why such basic checks were not standard practice.

Despite repeated indicators of domestic and family violence, the report suggests that the Department of Children and Families failed to adequately recognize the cumulative impact of this violence on the child's safety. Protective responses were not pursued promptly. The interim report also noted that the child's mother had been a victim of domestic and family violence.