Police are searching for a 47-year-old man in connection with the suspected abduction of a five-year-old girl in Australia’s Northern Territory, who had recently been released from prison.
Five-year-old Sharon was reported missing at around 1.30 a.m. yesterday from her home in Old Timers Camp on Marshall Court in Alice Springs. She had reportedly been put to bed at about 11.30 p.m. on Saturday before family members later discovered she was missing.
Acting Commander Mark Grieve said police are seeking public assistance to locate Jefferson Lewis, who was staying at the residence and is believed to have disappeared around the same time.
Police said they believe Sharon may have been abducted and that Lewis could provide important information regarding the case. Authorities noted that he was one of the few people present in the area at the time who has not contacted police and has not yet been located.
Officials further stated that Lewis had recently been released from prison after serving time for violent offences, including assault and domestic violence. Investigators are now trying to trace his movements since his release.
Police said Lewis is not directly related to Sharon but is believed to have been known to the family.
A large-scale search operation is currently underway involving officers on foot, motorbikes, dogs, horses, and drones. The Northern Territory Major Crime Squad has also joined the investigation.
Authorities said their priority is to find Sharon safe and return her to her family.
