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Jefferson Lewis has been charged with murder over the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
Lewis, 47, was charged on Saturday evening, a week after the young girl went missing from Old Timers camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced the charge on Sunday morning, and said Lewis would appear in a Darwin court later next week.
“This remains a deeply distressing matter, and our thoughts are firmly with Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family, loved ones and the wider community that have been deeply impacted by these events,” Dole said.
“This outcome follows an extensive and complex investigation by the Northern Territory police, and I just want to thank all of the members involved for their professionalism and dedication in reaching this outcome.
“This matter is now before the courts, and as a result, it would be inappropriate for the police to provide further comment or discuss in detail the events.
“I would ask that the community respect the judicial process, and I would also ask that the community continue to respect the family as they continue to process their deep grief and sorrow.”
Dole said the family had been informed of the charges.
Lewis had been in police custody since Thursday night, when he was found and bashed by locals hours after the body of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby was found.
A crowd of hundreds converged on Alice Springs Hospital, where he was held, and police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as tensions rose.
Also on Sunday, police released CCTV footage from inside the Shell service station that was targeted during the riot.
The vision shows hundreds of people spilling through the doors, opening cabinets and looting the station.
Dole said the footage was “abhorrent”.
“What you will see in this footage is not people processing grief in relation to the death of Baby Kumanjayi,” he said.
“What you will see is not people trying to practice traditional lore. What you will see is criminal behaviour; plain and simple.
“It’s abhorrent, it’s disgusting, and it will not be tolerated or accepted by the Northern Territory police, and it should not be accepted by the community.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Ordelman, who is handling the investigation, said a number of arrests had already been made over the riot.
“Today, we’ve had two people hand themselves in,” he said.
“Yesterday, there were five arrests in relation to the behaviour, and this morning … there’s currently six extra people [who] have been arrested today and are in the watchhouse, awaiting charges.”
The charges are expected to range from aggravated burglary to stealing.
Ordelman said the damage bill from Thursday’s riot was currently $200,000, and climbing.
“You can see from the footage how opportunistic it is,” he said.
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