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Five-year-old missing from Aboriginal town camp in Alice Springs
Australian authorities believe a five-year-old girl, identified as Sharon, was abducted from her home in an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs, Northern Territory, late Saturday night.
Police seek person of interest
Northern Territory Police Acting Commander Mark Grieve confirmed on Monday that investigators are urgently trying to locate 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was staying at the same camp and disappeared around the time Sharon went missing.
Lewis, who has a history of domestic and family violence offences, is one of the few individuals present at Old Timers camp who has not been accounted for, Grieve told reporters.
Search efforts intensify
More than 24 hours after Sharon was last seen, authorities and volunteers have launched an extensive search operation. Teams are combing the surrounding bush and desert areas with the assistance of a dog squad, drone unit, and helicopter.
Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt with white trim around the neck and sleeves, and black boxer-style underwear, according to police.
Appeal for public assistance
Commander Grieve made a public plea for anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
"Obviously it's a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing. We're over 24 hours now, so it'd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent."
Mark Grieve, Acting Commander, Northern Territory Police
Grieve reiterated the police's commitment to finding Sharon safe and reuniting her with her family.
Background on the location
The search is focused on Old Timers camp, a government-designated area for Aboriginal people visiting Alice Springs. The camp has been a central point in the investigation as authorities piece together the events leading up to Sharon's disappearance.
