Share and Follow
The family of a missing five-year-old girl in the Northern Territory is making a poignant plea to her potential abductor, urging them for her safe return. The search for the young girl has now entered its fifth day.
Note: This article contains information that may be distressing to some readers.
The child was last spotted holding hands with Jefferson Lewis at 11:30 p.m. Authorities have since confirmed their suspicion that Lewis may have taken her from the campsite.
“There was nothing I could do – just cry,” a family member expressed, overwhelmed with emotion.
The missing girl is described as a kind, quiet, and gentle child by those who know her.
Robin said he discovered his granddaughter was missing while watching the Anzac Day memorial nearby.
“I heard it was my granddaughter who was being snatched up and [had been] taken off by a man from prison,” he said.
Lewis had been released from jail just six days before Sharon went missing, charged for violent offences including assault and domestic violence.
Police found the items of clothing on the riverbank at the back of the Old Timers Camp where Sharon was last seen on Sunday, but have only just revealed their findings.
Northern Territory Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Malley said the shirt found by police is Lewis’ ”distinctive” yellow and black shirt captured on police bodycam footage when officers visited the Old Timers Camp earlier on Saturday for an unrelated mental health call out.
A doona cover was also found alongside the shirt and children’s underwear.
Robin appealed through the media for Lewis to “listen” to him.
“I want you to send that baby back. She is our baby. It’s our kid … she is just too small. Please, can you bring her back? We want to be back safe.”
He appealed for anyone who spotted the pair to contact him or police as soon as possible.
Robin also said Sharon had trouble communicating at times.
“She didn’t have really have a voice … she’s just been using a hand signal,” he said. 
Local MP and Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Speaker Robyn Lambley told Today this morning the whole community had been mobilised in the search.
“We have all been out there looking for her … the whole town is all about finding her.”
She said the small community of Old Timers Camp was a “notoriously hard place to live”.
The widening manhunt has also reached interstate, with Western Australian police contacting Lewis’ wife and children in Bolga, who police say are cooperating with authorities.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.