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Northern Territory police have arrested Jefferson Lewis in connection to the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby.

The arrest was confirmed in a brief statement by NT police just before 10pm local time.

“A short time ago, the Northern Territory police force located and arrested Jefferson Lewis at a residence in Alice Springs,” the statement said.

Guardian Australia understands police were called by members of the community and Lewis was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries sustained prior to his arrest. About 100 community members gathered outside as news of his arrest spread.

An arrest order was issued for Lewis, 47, on Sunday, after the young girl was reported missing by her mother from the Ilyperenye (Old Timers) town camp.

The body of the young Warlpiri girl was discovered by a police search and rescue team shortly before midday on Thursday, after five days of searching.

She is referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby for cultural reasons, at the request of her family.

Her mother earlier issued a statement via police, addressed to her daughter.

“I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” she said. “Me and your brother will meet you one day … It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.”

Police said on Monday that Kumanjayi Little Baby’s mother had gone to the town camp, one of 18 such places in Alice Springs, on Saturday to do her laundry in their free machines. They had stayed through the evening and Kumanjayi Little Baby was put to bed in one of the rooms before 11pm.

She was last seen by her mother at 11.30pm. At 1.30am, her mother found her missing and called the police.

Hundreds of volunteers and police officers have searched a six square kilometre area of grass and scrubland around the camp, which backs onto the Todd River. A further 20km sq was searched via helicopter.

The Northern Territory chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, said the whole of the NT was grieving for the young girl.

“Every Territorian has had their heart in their throat waiting for the moment when they got the announcement that she was found safe and well, and that news did not come,” she said.