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Former The X Factor star Mitchell Callaway has been charged with murdering a baby girl five years after she died in a rural NSW hospital, and one week after police returned to a small town searching for evidence.

Emergency services were called to a home in Binnaway, near Coonabarabran in the state's Central West, after the nine-month-old was found at 10am on July 23, 2018.

The X Factor star Mitchell Callaway has been charged with murdering a baby girl in 2018. The arrest comes a week after police searched a rural NSW town.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

The baby was taken to Coonabarabran Hospital by NSW Ambulance Paramedics. Despite the efforts of staff she died a short time later.

Detectives from the Orana Mid-Western Police District declared a crime scene at the Binnaway home and brought in forensic specialist police.

They concluded the death was suspicious and formed Strike Force King, but no one was charged.

Then a break in the case came late last month and officers returned to the town on May 31 to pick through the backyard of a suburban brick home.

Police arrested Mitchell Callaway at Bowraville on Thursday morning.Credit: NSW Police

Officers scoured with metal detectors and with hands and feet. The items they collected were sent away for forensic tests and police appealed to the public for information.

One week later detectives arrested Callaway at a home 500 kilometres away in Bowraville about 9.45am on Thursday.

The 37-year-old was taken to Macksville police station and charged with murder.

The former singer did not apply for bail when he fronted Macksville Local Court and it was refused. He is due to next appear for mention at Coffs Harbour on June 13.

Callaway was a contestant on season three of The X Factor in 2011. He came seventh in the competition and was mentored by singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

The former singer lost in week six of the competition during the final showdown against Johnny Ruffo.

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