Aimee Walker
Cleo Smith’s parents have released a statement after their four-year-old daughter was found following an 18-day search.
The child vanished from Blowholes campsite on October 16 and was found in a locked house, reportedly 70km away, in Carnarvon, just 18 days later.
Her parents have now thanked Western Australian police for their efforts and the public for their ‘love and support’.
Watch Cleo Smith’s first words to police who found the child after an 18-day search below…
The statement reads: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the rescue of our daughter Cleo Smith.
“In particular, we would like to thank WA Police, all those involved in the initial search, the Carnarvon community, local businesses and of course our family and friends.
“We are humbled by the love and support that we have received from not only our local community but the whole of Western Australia and across the country.
“We are so thankful that our little girl is back within our arms and our family is whole again.”
The family ended the statement by asking for privacy going forward, saying: “As we try to get on with our lives, we ask that you respect our privacy.”
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A 36-year-old man, named Terence Darrell Kelly, has reportedly been charged with forcibly or fraudulently taking or enticing a child under the age of 16.
He was pictured leaving Carnarvon and boarding a plane that was expected to take him to Perth, where it is believed he will enter a maximum-security prison.
According to reports, police made the decision to raid the man’s property after neighbours informed officials they could ‘hear a child crying’.
Recalling the moment they rescued Cleo, Detective Sergeant Cameron Blaine said: “I said, ‘What is your name?’ She didn’t answer, I asked again and she didn’t answer.
“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.”
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