In the early hours of Sunday morning, the community of Old Timers Camp in Alice Springs was shaken by a distressing situation when five-year-old Sharon was reported missing from her home on Marshall Court. The disappearance was noted around 1:30 a.m., leading to an intensive search effort.
Sharon had been tucked into bed at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night. However, just a few hours later, her absence was discovered, prompting a rapid response from local authorities and volunteers.
As the search enters its third day, efforts have intensified with the deployment of foot patrols, drones, and helicopters scouring the area in hopes of locating the young girl.
Acting Commissioner Peter Malley provided some insight into the circumstances surrounding Sharon’s disappearance. He mentioned that a party was taking place at the residence on Saturday night, though the precise number of attendees remains unclear.
Commissioner Malley also noted a person named Lewis was present at the gathering, though he emphasized that Lewis had only a “loose connection to the family.” He clarified, “They just happened to be present together at that location on Saturday night.”
The community remains on edge as the search continues, with hopes pinned on Sharon’s safe return. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to aid in the investigation.
Lewis was last seen holding hands with a young child after 11pm on Saturday.
Malley said police believe she is still alive, but admits it is paramount that Sharon is found soon.
“As time goes on, the chances of finding her alive and well, reduce,” he said, rejecting suggestions the search started too late.
“The team has done everything within its power,” he said.
“It was up and running very, very early, resources here as part of the search are really significant.”
Acting Commander Mark Grieve confirmed yesterday that 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.”
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.
Police don’t believe Lewis has access to a vehicle, but concede he may have someone assisting him.
Police believe he is still within a 20km radius of where Sharon went missing, and don’t believe he has gone interstate.
The Northern Territory Major Crime Squad travelled to the home yesterday, and confirmed they spoke with multiple people who were there on Saturday night.
Anyone with information should call 131 444.
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