Three child protection workers have been stood down following the alleged murder of a five-year-old girl in Alice Springs. The decision comes after reports that a total of six child protection reports were made about Kumanjayi Little Baby in the six weeks before she was allegedly murdered.
Details of the Reports
The Northern Territory's Department of Children and Families received the reports about the five-year-old living in a 'dangerous environment' from mid-March until two days before she disappeared from Old Timers town camp in Alice Springs. More than a dozen child protection reports had been centred on Kumanjayi Little Baby since her birth, but none of the six recent reports were investigated, according to The Australian.
The latest report was linked to an alleged aggravated assault on the little girl's mother on April 22. Her father was charged and remains in custody.
Police Frustration
Police responded to two of the reports in March and the other four in April, with sources claiming officers were frustrated by a lack of action from child services. The reports alleged that Kumanjayi Little Baby was living in a dangerous environment, had been neglected, and was exposed to domestic violence.
It is understood that three child protection workers have since been stood down, with an independent investigation launched into the handling of the reports.
