Child's underwear has been found at the crime scene close to where little Sharon Granites, 5, was last seen being led into the dark holding the hand of a violent ex-con.
Sharon was reported missing from Ilyperenye (Old Timers) Town Camp outside Alice Springs in the Northern Territory after she vanished around 11.30pm on Anzac Day.
Police believe she has been abducted by Jefferson Lewis, a convicted criminal who had just got out of jail six days earlier, and was the last person seen with the girl.
The alarm was raised around 1.35am on Sunday after locals failed to find any trace of either Sharon or Lewis.
NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley revealed on Wednesday that detectives had now discovered the child's underwear and a bright yellow T-shirt Lewis had been seen wearing earlier that evening, as well as a doona.
The items have been sent for forensic testing which may confirm police fears that the child was sexually abused, with Asst Comm Malley expecting results on Thursday.
As the fourth day of searching rough terrain and dense grassland for Sharon continues, police admit time is running out for her to be found safe and well.
'We are right on the threshold of her still being alive,' Asst Comm Malley admitted.
Child's underwear has been found at the crime scene close to where little Sharon Granites, 5, was last seen being led into the dark holding the hand of a violent ex-con
Sharon is feared to have been abducted by Jefferson Lewis, a convicted criminal who had just got out of jail six days earlier
Police revealed they had discovered what is believed to be the child's underwear and a bright yellow T-shirt Lewis had been seen wearing earlier that evening
Police and volunteers have searched 80 sq km around Alice Springs, and have also attended addresses in Yuendumu and Lajamanu in connection with the search.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole revealed they 'absolutely, firmly believe there's members of the community that know where (Lewis) is'.
'Tell us. Tell us what you know,' he said.
The night of Sharon's disappearance, police had been called to Town Camp earlier the same evening, when Lewis was captured on bodycam footage wearing the distinctive yellow shirt that has now been sent to Darwin for forensic testing.
Asst Comm Malley said the family had been made aware of the items found at the crime scene and 'were obviously distressed'.
'It's a horrible thing that they're going through at the moment, and we're doing the best we can for them at this stage,' he added.
He confirmed 'alcohol had been consumed' on the night Sharon went missing and that Lewis was 'probably under the influence'.
Sharon was described as a 'sweet, affectionate little girl' by Asst Comm Malley.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole (pictured) revealed they 'absolutely, firmly believe there's members of the community that know where (Lewis) is'
Sharon was reported missing from Ilyperenye (Old Timers) Town Camp outside Alice Springs in the Northern Territory around 11.30pm on Anzac Day
Police and volunteers have searched on foot within a 20km radius of Alice Springs, and have also attended addresses in Yuendumu and Lajamanu in connection with the search
Police have 'shared intelligence' with South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland police, but insist Lewis remains in the Alice Springs area.
'We still believe that he is local, but we will consider everything,' Mr Malley said.
In October 2024 he was given a total sentence of 18 months, with a 12-month non-parole period.
The Australian Defence Force, Aboriginal trackers and around 70 volunteers have joined the search, covering difficult terrain that involves soft sand and long grass.
Mounted police, drones and search dogs have also joined the hunt.
It's understood Lewis - who was released from prison without conditions despite a lengthy list of criminal convictions - was staying at a home within OId Timers, and was known to Sharon's family.
Police said Sharon and her mother had attended the address that night to do some washing and her mother was 'distraught' at her little girl's disappearance.
Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison in March 2025, after pleading guilty to breaching a domestic violence order and resisting police.
This came just five months after Mr Lewis faced court charged with aggravated assault, breaching his domestic violence order and breaching bail.
Police have attended addresses connected to Lewis in the Indigenous communities of Yuendumu and Lajamanu, but believe he has not left the area.
'We are looking all over the place,.' said Asst Comm Malley.
'We speak to survival experts, and we look at, if she was wandering around on her own in the bush, how long she could survive for.
'We're still within that timeframe, but once again, we're considering everything, and she may have come to harm, but we still think she's alive.
'Our number one mission is to find her safe and well.'