The ex-con suspected of murdering Kumanjayi Little Baby could be charged by police within 24 hours, the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister has said.

Jefferson Lewis, 47, is suspected to have abducted and murdered Kumanjayi Little Baby after being released from prison six days earlier.

It’s alleged Lewis crept into the room where the little girl had been put to bed and snuck her out through a side door on Anzac Day.

The body of Kumanjayi Little Baby was found near the banks of the Todd River, just 5km south of her home, the Old Timers camp just outside Alice Springs.

The little girl’s family asked that she be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby. Kumanjayi is a substitute name used by Warlpiri people for a deceased person to avoid the taboo of speaking their name after death.

Lewis was arrested on Thursday night and flown to Darwin after he was beaten unconscious by an angry crowd protesting the little girl’s death.

The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she expects Lewis, who is out of hospital and in police custody, to be charged on Saturday.

‘We’re expecting police to lay charges today… obviously (police) are being left to do their important work and no one wants to jeopardise anything that gets in the way of bringing the person who did this to justice,’ she told Sunrise on Saturday.

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Jefferson Lewis, 47, is suspected to have abducted and murdered Kumanjayi Little Baby just days after being released from prison six days earlier

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The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she expects Lewis, who is out of hospital and in police custody, to be charged on Saturday

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Lewis was taken into police custody after being beaten by a vigilante group on Thursday night

‘But I think Territorians and Australians who are incredibly invested in this outcome would expect to see police make a move today.’

It comes after Kumanjayi Little Baby’s mother Jacinta told the Daily Mail she is haunted by the events of that night, with the images replaying in her mind.

‘It’s too much. I cannot go back there. I never can again. She was just so beautiful and such a good girl and I miss her,’ she said.

‘I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.’

Terrifying footage from Alice Springs showed armed police using tear gas and rubber bullets to deter locals demanding ‘mob justice’ over the young girl’s death.

Lewis is understood to have been beaten ‘within an inch of his life’ by the vigilantes.

Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family previously released a statement via elder Robin Granites – the child’s grandfather – who pleaded with the Indigenous community to allow justice to take its course.

‘Everyone is feeling upset and emotions are high,’ he said.

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Lewis is suspected to have murdered Kumanjayi Little Baby (pictured)

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Her body was found near the banks of the Todd River, just 5km south of her home

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There was community unrest outside Alice Springs Hospital following the arrest of Lewis

‘I understand that what happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious. Of course we are feeling angry and hurt. This man has been caught thanks to community action, and we must allow justice to take its course.’

There have also been calls for calm from Traditional Owners, Northern Territory politicians and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.