An outback community is "holding its breath" and praying for the safe return of a five-year-old girl allegedly abducted by a recently released prisoner four days ago.
Police believe Sharon Granites is still alive after she was allegedly snatched from a home in an Aboriginal town camp, called Old Timers, on the outskirts of Alice Springs on Saturday night.
Scores of police officers, defence force members, Aboriginal trackers and volunteers have been scouring tough desert terrain to find Sharon and her alleged abductor, 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis.
Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill told AAP a town council meeting on Tuesday night was opened with a prayer for Sharon and her safe return.
"There is intense worry reverberating through the whole community, it's as though the whole community is holding its breath," she said.
The community had united over the last few days with a single purpose – to bring Sharon home safely, the mayor said.
Lewis is believed to have lured Sharon away after he was seen holding a little girl's hand during a party at the camp.
He had been released from prison six days earlier and has a history of violence.
Between 2016 and 2025, Lewis was sentenced to 64 months in prison for offences including aggravated assaults, breaching domestic violence orders, bail and resisting police.
Northern Territory Treasurer Bill Yan shared the community's fears over Sharon's disappearance and said he hoped she would be found soon.
"This is an absolutely horrible situation for the family, and my thoughts are with them," he said in a statement.
No sightings have been confirmed but police did not rule out the pair being within an established 20 square kilometre search zone, telling media on Tuesday they believed the girl was still alive.
"Our number one mission is to find little Sharon safe and well and we're doing everything within our power," Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said in Alice Springs.
Sharon was last seen by her family when she was taken to bed about 11.30pm on Saturday, at the town camp of nine households and 40 residents. She was reported missing about two hours later.
Police do not have a motive for the alleged abduction, but released more detail on what they believe happened before Sharon disappeared.
Sharon and her mother had been visiting a home at Old Timers to do some laundry, police said.
A social occasion was later held at the house where Lewis was staying.
Police were called out to the party but no offences were detected, and have since released images of Lewis captured that night.
Lewis was probably under the influence of alcohol and was seen "holding hands with a little girl" about 11pm, police said.
He allegedly led the girl towards an area that has been declared a crime scene – near Alice Springs Telegraph Station – and both have been missing ever since.
Police do not believe Lewis had access to a vehicle but did not rule out that someone could be driving him around.
NT Police said there had not been any new developments overnight and the search was continuing on Wednesday, with multiple police units engaged and local volunteers.
"The community is really rallying around, local businesses are dropping off food for the units, which is really nice, and the local bakeries are dropping off sandwiches and pies to keep people fed," a spokesperson said.
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