Police who found missing Cleo Smith in a locked house in Australia say they were “shocked” and then “elated” when the four-year-old confirmed: “My name is Cleo.”
Detective Sergeant Cameron Blaine told reporters they were not prepared for such a happy outcome despite “always” hoping for it.
“It was absolutely fantastic. To see her sitting there was incredible,” he said.
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Cleo in hospital after being found by police. Pic: WA Police
The child disappeared from a campsite in Western Australia more than two weeks ago.
A 36-year-old local man was arrested following a late-night raid at the house in the coastal town of Carnarvon, after police received a tip-off.
While one of the other officers picked Cleo up, Detective Blaine said he was concerned to make sure it really was her.
“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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Police outside the house where Cleo was found. Pic: AP
Lead investigator Superintendent Rod Wilde said officers were overcome with emotion after finding Cleo.
“We all cried,” he said. “Most definitely. It was an amazing moment. Suddenly after hearing that, we were on such a high. It was fantastic.”
Detective Sergeant Hutchinson, the family liaison officer, then called Cleo’s parents, telling them: “We’ve got someone here that wants to speak to you.”
Their reaction was “just absolute surprise and they were ecstatic”, the officer added.
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Moment police find missing four-year-old
“Things developed very quickly. To be able to give them that news and say ‘please start making your way to the hospital’ was fantastic.”
Cleo’s mum, Ellie Smith, wrote on social media: “Our family is whole again.”
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Bodycam footage shows an officer carrying Cleo
Detective Blaine said Cleo is “physically okay – that was eent from the start”.
Finding her caused “shock to start with, quickly followed by elation”.
He added: “Can I say, having seen her a couple times this morning, she is a little energizer bunny.
“She’s just a very, very sweet, energetic girl, very trusting and very open with us. You know, we all wanted to take turns in holding her. So yeah, it was a really good experience.”
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Australian police on finding Cleo
Sky News correspondent Siobhan Robbins, who is in Australia, said: “Cleo Smith’s mystery disappearance has gripped Australia. As the days passed with no news and no new sightings many were beginning to fear the worst. The hopes of finding the four-year-old safe and well seemed to be bleak.
“So today’s surprise rescue has been described by some as a miracle. Many received the news as if it was an update on their own loved one.
“Others told us this was a ‘good day for Australia’ as a family – and a nation welcomed a little girl back home.
“‘I have a 4-year-old too so it really hit home with me,’ added 37-year-old New South Wales mother, Gina Walker.
“‘I did not think that was going to be the outcome. I was shocked and so happy – I even teared up.'”
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Cleo’s mother, Ellie Smith, and her partner Jake Gliddon
Initially when Cleo went missing a huge land and sea search got under way on the assumption that she had wandered away from the tent she was in.
But the zipper on the compartment where she and her sister were sleeping was too high for her to have reached it.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said her discovery was a “huge relief” and a “moment for great joy”.
Western Australia state Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said “dogged, methodical police work” led to Cleo being found.
He added: “It is a really special day for Western Australia. Indeed, I know the nation is rejoicing over the fact that we have been able to conduct this operation and we never gave up hope, and I know that Cleo’s parents never gave up hope.”
