The family of a missing five-year-old girl in the Northern Territory have made a heartfelt appeal to her suspected abductor for her safe return as the search to find her enters day five.
Sharon Granites has been missing since Saturday night, when she was put to bed some time before 11pm at a house in the Old Timers Camp where she and her mother had been visiting.
Warning: This story contains details and content that some readers may find distressing.
LIVE UPDATES: Donald Trump praises King Charles
She was last seen nearby holding hands with Jefferson Lewis at 11.30pm with police yesterday confirming they believe he led the little girl away from the camp.
Sharon's grandfather Robin told The Sydney Morning Herald the family were praying for her safe return, and appealed for Australians to keep their missing child in their hearts.
"There was nothing I could do – just cry," he said.
"She was a really nice, little, good, quiet girl."
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.
READ MORE: UK PM condemns London stabbing, declared a terrorist incident
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.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
- Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
- Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
- Sign up to our breaking newsletter here
