Aimee Walker
Cleo Smith’s mother has broken her silence after her four-year-old daughter was found following an 18-day search in Australia.
The toddler, who went missing on October 16, was reportedly found ‘safe and well’ inside a house in Carnarvon, Western Australia, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Ellie Smith took to Instagram to share her joy at being reunited with her, saying ‘her family was whole again’.
Watch Cleo Smith’s first words to police when she was found below…
According to the Daily Mail, a close family friend also revealed the heartfelt message Ellie wrote to her loved ones in a Facebook post.
She said: “To be woken at 4.50am with my phone going crazy at 4.50am and see the words Cleo is home alive and safe.
“Seeing Ellie saying her ‘beautiful girl is home’ is nothing short of a miracle. We are so happy for her to be home.”
The property where Smith was found is reportedly only a seven-minute drive away from her mum, Ellie Smith and step-dad Jake’s house.
A 36-year-old man is currently in custody and being questioned by detectives over her disappearance.
WA Police Detective Sergeant Cameron Blaines spoke about the moment they found the young girl.
He told reporters: “I said, ‘What is your name?’ She didn’t answer, I asked again and she didn’t answer.
Missing Yorkshireman Found In Lapland A Year After Disappearing
“I asked a third time and then she looked at me and said, ‘My name is Cleo’. And that was it. Then we turned around and walked out of the house.”
Deputy Commissioner of the force Col Blanch added: ‘”This is the outcome we all hoped and prayed for. It’s the outcome we’ve achieved because of some incredible police work.
“I want to thank Cleo’s parents, the Western Australian community and the many volunteers. And of course, I want to thank my colleagues in the Western Australia Police Force.”
Watch our Video of the Day below…
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
