Alice springs: Australian police have charged a man with the murder of a five-year-old Aboriginal girl who disappeared and was later found dead. The Northern Territory Police announced the arrest of a 47-year-old man in connection with the tragic death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, a name used for cultural reasons after her passing. The man was taken into custody in Alice Springs on Thursday evening and has been remanded to appear in court.

According to Anadolu Agency, the accused, identified by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as Jefferson Lewis, is expected to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday via an audio-visual link. The girl's disappearance from a town camp in Alice Springs on April 25 had triggered an extensive search operation, ending with the discovery of her body approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of the camp on April 30.

Lewis is also facing additional charges, including sexual assault. The incident has led to further unrest in the community, with police reporting that five others were arrested for "riotous behavior" on Thursday night in Alice Springs. Protesters clashed with police outside Alice Springs Hospital following Lewis' arrest.

Authorities have indicated that more individuals have been identified in connection with the disturbances, and multiple arrests are anticipated in the coming days.