Key Takeaways
- Five‑year‑old Sharon Granites was reported missing from the Old Timers town camp in Alice Springs in the early hours of Sunday; police allege she was abducted by 47‑year‑old Jefferson Lewis.
- Sharon is non‑verbal, communicating mainly through hand gestures, and is described by relatives as “very energetic” and fond of music, TikTok and YouTube videos.
- Family members, including her kinship grandfather Robin Japanangka Granites, great‑uncle Rob Roy, and community leader Bess Nungarrayi Price, have publicly pleaded for any information that could lead to her safe return.
- The family is appealing directly to Jefferson Lewis, a recently released prisoner with a long history of violence and incarceration in the NT, to surrender or disclose Sharon’s whereabouts.
- Police continue to urge the public to come forward, suspecting that some community members may be withholding information about Lewis’s location.
Background of the Disappearance
Sharon Granites was last seen on Saturday night at the Old Timers town camp in Alice Springs. Early Sunday morning, her absence was noted, and police quickly classified the case as a possible abduction, naming 47‑year‑old Jefferson Lewis as the primary suspect. The Northern Territory Police Force has issued public appeals for information, emphasizing that locating Sharon and apprehending Lewis are their top priorities. The case has drawn significant attention from local residents and advocacy groups, given the young age of the child and the vulnerability of the remote community setting.
Family’s Emotional Plea
Sitting outside the house where Sharon was allegedly taken, her kinship grandfather Robin Japanangka Granites broke into tears while speaking to the ABC. He described Sharon as “only a little baby” and said the family has been “crying, crying” since her disappearance. Robin expressed anguish that the family’s days are now consumed by grief rather than the active search they wish they could be conducting, underscoring the profound impact the loss has had on their daily lives and communal spirit.
Sharon’s Communication and Personality
Family members told the ABC that Sharon is unable to speak and relies primarily on hand gestures to convey her needs and emotions. Despite this, her great‑uncle Rob Roy, who lives in the remote NT community of Kalkirindji, painted a vivid picture of her character: she is “very energetic,” constantly roaming and running around without a care. He recalled that during her last visit she sang along to music, babbling happily, and noted that give her an iPad or phone and she will sit engrossed for hours, absorbed by TikTok or YouTube videos. These details highlight both her vibrant spirit and the specific ways she interacts with the world.
Great‑Uncle Rob Roy’s Appeal
Rob Roy emphasized that Sharon’s lively nature makes her disappearance all the more unsettling. He urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing that the community’s collective vigilance is essential. Reflecting on her last visit, he said he often wonders what she would be doing or eating at any given moment, a thought that keeps the family’s hope alive. His words serve as both a personal lament and a broader call to action for neighbors and passersby who might have seen something relevant.
Community Leader Bess Nungarrayi Price’s Statement
Bess Nungarrayi Price, a Warlpiri Alice Springs community leader and former NT government child protection minister, spoke on behalf of Sharon’s extended family. She conveyed that Sharon’s mother and grandmothers are distraught but still cling to hope that the girl is alive and can be returned to her caregivers. Price affirmed that the whole family is traumatized yet united in their determination to find Sharon, and she directly appealed to Jefferson Lewis to provide any knowledge he may have about her whereabouts, even if it is only a clue that could guide the search.
Direct Appeal to the Suspect
Price and other relatives have explicitly asked Jefferson Lewis—described as a recently released prisoner—to come forward or to tell anyone he is staying with where Sharon might be. They stressed that they do not seek confrontation but rather information that could confirm her safety and facilitate her return. The family believes that Lewis, given his known connections to the area, may possess critical details that could break the case open, and they urge him to act out of humanitarian concern rather than fear of legal repercussions.
Background on Jefferson Lewis
Police have revealed that Jefferson Lewis has a lengthy history of violence and multiple prison sentences in the Northern Territory. His criminal record includes offenses such as assault, breach of domestic violence orders, and drug‑related crimes, making him a person of significant concern to law enforcement. Authorities suspect that some community members may be shielding him, which complicates efforts to locate him. The police continue to investigate his recent movements and are urging anyone who has seen him or knows his current location to contact them immediately.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Response
As the search enters its second day, police maintain that the public’s assistance is vital. They have reiterated that any tip—no matter how seemingly minor—could prove decisive in locating Sharon or apprehending Lewis. The family’s heartfelt pleas, combined with the authoritative stance of law enforcement, aim to galvanize the community into action. While the situation remains grave, the collective hope expressed by Sharon’s relatives underscores a shared resolve to bring the young girl home safely.