A major search is underway in the Northern Territory after police revealed that a five-year-old girl missing from her outback home is now believed to have been abducted. Sharon was reported missing from her home on Marshall Court in Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs, at approximately 1:35 am on Sunday. She was last seen by family members when she was put to bed around 11:30 pm on Saturday.
Police Suspect Abduction
Acting Commander Mark Grieve told media on Monday that police now suspect the young girl was abducted. Officers are urgently seeking to speak with 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries. Lewis is understood to have been staying at the home where Sharon disappeared.
“He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers Camp at the time and who has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him,” Grieve said. Lewis was recently released from prison, and Grieve noted that his prior offending was not related to children. He also stated that Lewis is not believed to be closely related to Sharon or her family.
Circumstances Raise Concerns
“Considering himself and Sharon went missing at around about the same time, it certainly brings about those suspicious circumstances and we’d like to speak to him about that,” Grieve said. “If he is involved, we certainly hope that no harm has come to Sharon.”
Grieve confirmed that support was being provided to Sharon’s mother. “Obviously it’s a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing,” he said. “We’re over 24 hours now so it’d certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent.”
Large-Scale Search Underway
A large-scale search resumed on Monday after about 50 police, emergency services personnel, and a helicopter failed to locate Sharon on Sunday. Police have released images of Sharon and Lewis as they appeal for public assistance.
Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue, short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and the ends of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.
“Please, if you’ve got any information, regardless of how small in detail you think it may be, please let us know,” Grieve urged. “You just don’t know what piece of information might complete the jigsaw puzzle. We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family.”
Anyone with information about Sharon’s whereabouts or Jefferson Lewis is urged to contact police, quoting reference P26120934.
