Child protection workers stood down, then reinstated after Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story includes the name and image of an Indigenous person who has passed away.
This article also contains references to domestic and family violence.
The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) has called for an investigation into the leaking of confidential information relating to child protection notifications involving Kumanjayi Little Baby and her family.
Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, said she was “horrified” to read the leaked details in the national media.
Three child protection workers were stood down pending an investigation into their handling of the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby before she was allegedly murdered.
SBS News understands two have since been reinstated.
“Leaking these details has only served to demonise a mother trying to keep herself and her children safe,” Liddle said, adding, “Notifications do not mean substantiation.”
“The safety of children is of course, always paramount, and I am pleased to see the Northern Territory minister asking questions about the actions of workers in her department.
“But I would urge her to investigate the leaking of information that could very well place the mother of Kumanjayi Little Baby in danger.”
Kumanjayi Little Baby was reported missing from a home at a town camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs on 25 April.
Her disappearance triggered a massive five-day land and air search until her body was found on 30 April.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been charged with her murder, and two other offences that cannot be published for legal reasons.
A spokesperson for Northern Territory child protection minister Robyn Cahill confirmed to the Australian Associated Press that three child protection workers had been stood down on Wednesday morning.
“They’ve been stood down while an investigation is underway into actions taken, or not taken, in relation to this case,” she said.
Reports appeared in the media this week about Kumanjayi Little Baby having been the subject of child protection reports.
SBS News is not suggesting any wrongdoing on behalf of the five-year-old’s family.
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