An outback hunt is under way for a man suspected of abducting a girl as a desperate search for the missing five-year-old intensifies.
Police are trying to locate recently released prisoner Jefferson Lewis, 47, after Sharon Granites disappeared near Alice Springs early on Sunday morning.
The little girl was reported missing from her Old Timers Aboriginal town camp residence about 1.30am on Sunday after being put to bed.
Mr Lewis had been staying at the home where Sharon lived and went missing at the same time, police said.
"We do believe Sharon has been abducted," Acting Commander Mark Grieve said in Darwin on Monday.
Mr Lewis was not in prison for child-related offending before being released but had a history of assault and domestic violence charges, Mr Grieve said.
The isolated community has been urged to come forward with any information they have as support is thrown behind Sharon's family.
The suspected abduction was "every parent's worst nightmare", Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said.
"To her family - our thoughts are with you," she posted on Facebook on Monday.
"To the community - this is the moment to step up. Someone knows something.
"Let's help bring her home."
The search for Sharon has included dozens of police officers assisted by a helicopter crew along with horse, dog and drone units.
Tactical Response Group members and emergency service volunteers have assisted the search, while major crime squad detectives have been sent from Darwin to Alice Springs.
Mr Lewis was not directly related to Sharon but there might be a peripheral link, Mr Grieve said.
"Police believe Mr Lewis can assist with inquiries," he said.
Police did not know whether Mr Lewis had access to a vehicle but hoped he was still in the immediate area.
"He currently remains one of the few people who were 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 Grieve said.
"Considering himself and Sharon went missing at around about the same time, it certainly brings about those suspicious circumstances and we'd like to speak to him about that.
"If he is involved, we certainly hope that no harm has come to Sharon."
Police welcomed any information from the public that could help locate Sharon.
"Obviously, it's a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing," Mr Grieve said.
"We're over 24 hours now, so it'd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent.
"We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family."