‘Abducted’: Desperate search for Sharon, 5, missing in remote Alice Springs town

Urgent search continues for five-year-old girl believed to have been “abducted” from her home in Alice Springs

Sharon, 5, was last seen at her home in Marshall Court, Old Timers Camp, south of Alice Springs, at around 11.30pm on Saturday.

Police believe the girl may have disappeared from her home through an unlocked back door after being tucked into bed.

Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Ordelman told reporters on Sunday that his mother “went back to check on him and it was his mother who called the police.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Acting Commander Mark Grieve said Sharon may have been kidnapped.

“We believe Sharon was kidnapped,” he said.

Police say 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison, may assist with investigations.

“It is believed that he was in the area at the time and was staying at the house,” Commander Grieve said.

“He currently remains one of the few people who were at the Old Timers Camp at the time and did not identify themselves to the police and the police did not manage to locate him.”

Commander Grieve said Mr Lewis was not in prison for child-related offences.

“He was in and around the house at the time, so I assume there was some sort of recognition of who he might have been,” Commander Grieves said.

“He’s the only person we haven’t been able to talk to and identify who was in and around that area at the time.”

Commander Grieves said it was believed Mr Lewis disappeared at the same time as Sharon.

The search for Sharon resumed on Monday morning after he could not be found during searches throughout the night.

Sharon was last seen wearing a navy blue short-sleeved t-shirt with a white loop stripe around her neck and at the end of her sleeves, and black boxer-style underwear.

Police said the search for the little girl shook the community.

“Obviously it’s a terrible situation for such a young child to go missing,” Commander Grieve said.

“We’re over 24 hours now, so this would definitely be my worst nightmare as a parent.”

Commander Grieve appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

“We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to return her to her family,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26120934.