Young girl reported missing from Mindil Beach area found safe

A three-year-old girl who went missing from the Mindil Beach area on New Year’s Eve has been found safe and is with family.

UPDATE: THREE-YEAR-OLD girl Stevie Booth, who went missing in the Mindil Beach area on New Year’s Eve, was found safe with family on Tuesday morning.

Stevie Booth, also known as Stevie Crowson, went missing in Darwin sometime on Friday night, with the last reported sighting being on Mindil Beach.

Police were only notified of her disappearance on Sunday night after officers attended a property in Malak over a separate matter.

However, the young girl was found on Tuesday morning in the care of extended family members and has since been returned to her mother.

The situation quickly became the subject of an amber alert with police and emergency services following all inquiries to locate her.

Crime Division Detective Acting Superintendent Brendan Lindner said he was happy to report that the three-year-old girl had been found alive and well.

“I am very happy to report that (on Tuesday) morning NT Police located Stevie, she is alive and well and has been returned to her mother,” Mr Lindner said.

“She was found with extended family at a residence in Darwin and it appears from all of our inquiries so far that she was well cared for over the duration of being missing.

“Crime Division were working all of Monday night, such was our concern, and we’re very pleased to be able to give some positive feedback, it is a good result.

“This matter highlights the importance of reporting missing people to police. There is no time frame of when you need to wait, if a person’s whereabouts is unknown and you’re concerned, report it to police as soon as you can.”

After receiving the report, Crime Division delved into the case, even conducting line searching in the waters at Mindil Beach to find Stevie.

Line searching saw 14 Tactical Response Group (TRG) officers trawl the waters on Monday night while 19 TRG officers and 14 NT Emergency Services volunteers conducted extended line searching on Tuesday morning.

“It was certainly a concern being on the beach so a number of line searches were conducted on Monday and Tuesday,” Mr Lindner said.

“The location where she went missing is near a beach, near a waterway and heavy foliage, so the location did hold some concerns hence the searches undertaken there while inquiries were being taken with family.

“We’re thrilled with the result and we want to thank everyone involved particularly those on social media sharing the story and bringing great awareness to the missing child.

“We are told that three-year-old Stevie was very happy to be back with mum.”

EARLIER: POLICE are seeking public assistance to help locate a three-year-old girl who went missing near Mindil Beach in Darwin on Friday night, December 31, after officers were notified on Sunday of her disappearance.

The young girl, Stevie Booth, was also known as Stevie Crowson.

Stevie Booth, also known as Stevie Crowson, was last seen in the Mindil Beach area. Picture: Supplied.

She was last seen in the Mindil Beach area between the playground and toilet block.

Stevie is described as being Indigenous with short hair. She was wearing a black and white shirt with Mickey Mouse on it, black and white shorts and white plastic-style sandals.

Police were told she was missing when they attended a property in Malak on a separate matter on Sunday night.

Further inquiries on Monday through a relative confirmed the child had not been seen since Friday night.

Acting Superintendent Mark Malogorski said police remain hopeful that other family members or friends have taken Stevie into their care.

He said: “Anyone with information on Stevie’s whereabouts, or if you have seen her, is urged to contact police on 131444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote 9891097.”