Missing Australian girl Cleo Smith (4 years) found alive and reunited with her parents: ‘Our family is whole again’ | News

Police said in a statement that an officer present picked up the little girl and asked her her name. She replied, “My name is Cleo.”

“This is the outcome we have all hoped for and prayed for,” Deputy Commissioner Cole Blanche said. “It is the result that we achieved thanks to the amazing police work. I would like to thank my parents Cleo, the local community and the many volunteers. And of course I would like to thank my colleagues from the Western Australian Police Force.” He also left that the girl was alone in the house when she was found. The raid took place early Wednesday morning, at a quarter of one o’clock local time.

The girl’s mother posted a photo of her daughter on Instagram. “Our family is complete again,” Elle Smith wrote. Tens of thousands of people have already left comments.

A man was arrested. “I can confirm we have taken a man from Carnarvon into custody. He is currently being questioned,” Deputy Commissioner Cole Blanche said. Western Australian Police Chief Chris Dawson told local ABC Radio station in Perth that the victim was a 36-year-old man with no connection. to the affected family.

Dawson watched a video of the rescue and also said Cleo is doing as good a job as he can be under the circumstances. She seemed to be alive and well, smiling. Her parents, Ellie and Jake, were very emotional, but they do well, too. “They’re very strong,” Dawson said.

The Cleo family also lives in Carnarvon, on the west coast of Australia. According to news website 9news, the house where the girl was found is only seven minutes’ drive from her parents’ home. In 2016, the town had a population of 4,426.

Little Cleo disappeared two weeks ago during a camping trip in a remote location dozens of miles from her hometown. The police quickly assumed the kidnapping. The mother said the tent was open when she woke up in the morning. Her daughter appeared to have disappeared, as was the girl’s sleeping bag.

The authorities began large-scale searches, including from the air and at sea. Australian authorities were A reward of 1 million Australian dollars (more than 640,000 euros) for instructions that may lead to Cleo. The disturbing disappearance that affected the whole of Australia and the rest of the world now has a happy ending.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also welcomed the news. “Cleo Smith has been found safe and sound at home,” he wrote on Twitter. “Our prayers have been answered.”

“Thank you to the many police officers who were involved in finding Cleo and who supported the family.”

A press conference will be held soon with more details on the case.

“For now – welcome home Cleo,” exempted Deputy Commissioner Cole Blanche concluded.