Search for missing five-year-old Sharon Granites enters fifth day in Alice Springs

The desperate search for missing Aboriginal girl Sharon Granites has stretched into a fifth day in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, as Northern Territory Police plead with community members they believe know the whereabouts of her suspected abductor.

The case has been declared a major crime, with a fugitive task force called in to help locate 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis.

The five-year-old was last seen at her Old Timers town camp home on the night of Saturday, 25 April 2026. Her mother reported her missing about 1.30am on Sunday after discovering she was no longer in her bed. Police allege Sharon was led away by Lewis, a man who had been staying at the property and was released from custody six days earlier. Investigators say he was seen holding the child’s hand outside the home about 11pm.

Family’s emotional plea

In their first public interview, Sharon’s family appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Sitting outside the home where she was allegedly taken, kinship grandfather Robin Japanangka Granites wept as he called for her safe return.

“A very terrible thing, a horrible thing, and we wanted to try and see if we could get her back, but we can’t” he said. “She’s only a little baby.”

Family members told the ABC that Sharon is unable to talk and communicates mostly through hand gestures. Her great-uncle Rob Roy described her as “very energetic” and “one of those little girls who roam around, run around, not fussed about anything”.

Warlpiri community leader and former NT child protection minister Bess Nungarrayi Price, a member of Sharon’s extended family, said her mother and grandmothers were “distraught” but still holding hope. “We still have our hopes up and we hope that we do find her” she said. The family is appealing directly to Lewis to surrender or pass on any information about the girl’s location.

Police appeal to the community

NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole urged anyone shielding Lewis to come forward immediately. “We believe that there are members of the community that absolutely know where Jefferson Lewis is” he said. “Tell us what you know. Tell us where he is. Tell us how to contact him.”

Assistant Commissioner for Crime and Intelligence Peter Malley warned that those assisting Lewis could also face charges. “I caution anyone giving him a hand, because when we do get him (and it’s only a matter of time) you might be in strife as well” he said.

Police have seized a doona cover, a yellow shirt believed to belong to Lewis and a pair of children’s underwear believed to be Sharon’s from a crime scene on the banks of the Todd River… Forensic results were expected back this week.

Ground search and community response

The search has involved drones, helicopters, mounted police, search dogs and Aboriginal Liaison Officers using traditional tracking skills. Around 130 community volunteers have joined ground teams each day to comb dense buffel grass and bushland surrounding the town camp.

Tangentyere Council chief executive Walter Shaw, whose organisation administers the Old Timers town camp, said the family was being supported by community and was working closely with police. “Society’s got a responsibility to look after our most vulnerable, and this is a five-year-old child — a dependent — that needs to be back in the arms of her mother” he said.

Independent NT member for Araluen Robyn Lambley joined the foot search and described the experience as “solemn and sobering”. “If she’s out there, we will find her one way or another” she said.

Police say they still believe Sharon is alive but acknowledge the survivability window is closing. Intelligence packages have been shared with police forces in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

How to help

Anyone with information about Sharon Granites or the whereabouts of Jefferson Lewis is urged to contact Northern Territory Police on 131 444 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.