A five-year-old girl named Sharon was discovered missing from her bed at an Alice Springs home late on April 25; police were alerted at about 1:35 a.m. on April 26. Authorities have identified 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, a recently released prisoner who was staying at the residence, as someone who may be able to assist with inquiries. A large search involving roughly 50 personnel, horses, dogs, a helicopter and drones has been conducted, and police have not ruled out foul play. Anyone with information is asked to contact Northern Territory Police and quote reference P26120934.
Five-Year-Old Girl Vanishes From Her Bed in Alice Springs; Police Seek Man Who Was Staying At Home
Missing 5-year-old girl, SharonCredit: NT Police
Police in the Northern Territory are conducting an urgent search for a five-year-old girl known as Sharon who disappeared from her family home in Alice Springs in the early hours of April 26.
What Happened
Officers were notified at about 1:35 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 26, after family members discovered Sharon missing from her bed at a residence in an Aboriginal town camp on Marshall Court, according to a Northern Territory Police news release. The child had been put to bed shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
Missing 5-year-old SharonCredit: NT Police
Initial Search And Concerns
An initial, extensive search of the area using police resources, drones and a canine unit did not locate Sharon, prompting a wider appeal to the public for information. Investigators noted doors and a fly screen at the home were open, and police said Sharon may have wandered outside. The nearby Todd River — which runs adjacent to the Old Timers Camp — raises added safety concerns for a young child who might leave the camp.
Person Of Interest
Authorities have asked the public to help locate 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, described by police as a recently released prisoner who was staying at the family home when Sharon disappeared. Australian media outlets, including The Sydney Morning Herald and 7 News, have reported Lewis has prior domestic violence convictions. Police say his most recent sentence was for offenses not related to children.
Jefferson LewisCredit: NT Police
"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," Acting Commander Mark Grieve told reporters. He added Lewis was one of the few people known to be at the Old Timers Camp at the time and had not been located by police.
Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Ordelman told ABC News that Sharon’s mother discovered the child was missing when she rechecked the bedroom and then phoned police.
Search Effort Underway
The search resumed in force on Monday, involving roughly 50 police and emergency personnel supported by horses, a canine unit, a helicopter and drones after an initial effort on Sunday failed to find the child. Police have not ruled out foul play and say some people who were present in the camp at the time have not yet been accounted for.
Jefferson LewisCredit: NT Police
Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeved T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and boxer-style underwear.
How To Help
Police are asking anyone with information to call the Northern Territory Police and reference incident P26120934. Acting Commander Grieve urged the public to come forward with even the smallest detail, saying it could be the missing piece investigators need.
Reporting is based on statements and media reports from the Northern Territory Police, ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 News and 9 News.
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