An urgent search is under way for a five-year-old girl, who is believed to have been “abducted” from her home in Alice Springs

Sharon, 5, was last seen at her home on Marshall Court in the Old Timers Camp, south of Alice Springs, about 11.30pm on Saturday.

Police believe the girl may have disappeared from her home after being put to bed, wandering through an unlocked back door.

Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Ordelman told reporters on Sunday that her mother “went back to check on her and her mother was the one that telephoned police”.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Acting Commander Mark Grieve said Sharon may have been snatched.

“We do believe Sharon has been abducted,” he said.

Police said Jefferson Lewis, 47, who was recently released from prison, may be able to assist with inquiries.

“He is believed to have been in the area around that time and staying at the residence,” Commander Grieve said.

“He currently remains one of the few people who was in Old Timers Camp at the time and who has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him.”

Mr Lewis was not in prison for child-related crimes, Commander Grieve said.

“He was in and around the house at that point in time, so I’m assuming there was some sort of recognition of who he may be,” Commander Grieves said.

“He’s the only person that we haven’t been able to locate and speak to who was in and around that area at the time.”

Mr Lewis was believed to have disappeared at the same time as Sharon, Commander Grieves said.

The search for Sharon resumed on Monday morning after overnight searches failed to find her.

Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and end of the sleeves and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.

Police said the search for the little girl had rocked the community.

“Obviously, it’s a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing,” Commander Grieve said.

“We’re over 24 hours now, so it’d certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent”

Commander Grieve urged anyone with information to come forward.

“We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family,” he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26120934.