Suspect in alleged abduction of young girl was recently released from prison

Monday, 27 April 2026 16:40

She was last seen when she was put to bed late on Saturday.

Police are searching for a 47-year-old man who had recently been released from prison in relation to the suspected abduction of a young girl in the Northern Territory.

Five-year-old Sharon was reported missing about 1.30am yesterday from her home in Old Timers Camp on Marshall Court in Alice Springs.

She had been put to bed about 11.30pm on Saturday before she was later noticed to be missing.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve confirmed police are asking for public assistance to find Jefferson Lewis, who was in the area at the time and staying at the residence, and who is believed to have disappeared around the same time.

"We do believe Sharon has been abducted and we believe Mr Jefferson may be able to provide us with some information in regards to this," Grieve said.

"He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers Camp at the time and has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him at this point in time."

He said Lewis had recently been released from prison, after being jailed for violent offences including assault and domestic violence.

"We're still trying to work through his movements since he got out of prison, we certainly know that he was in and around Old Timers Camp at that particular residence Saturday afternoon and into that evening."

Grieve could not confirm how many people were at the home but said he understood Sharon's mother and other family were present.

Lewis is not directly related to Sharon, but is believed to have been known to the family, Grieve said.

"It's a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing, we're over 24 hours now so it would certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent," Grieve said.

He said police were "wrapping around" Sharon's mother and had provided accommodation and support to the family.

"We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family."

Police are seeking public assistance to locate 47-year-old male, Mr Jefferson Lewis, who police believe can assist with enquires.

Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.

The ongoing search has included officers on foot, on motorbike, dogs, horses, and drones.

It is not known if Lewis has access to a vehicle and police believe he is possibly still in the area.

The Northern Territory Major Crime Squad was en route to the home today.

Anyone with information should call 131 444.

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