Cleo Smith, a four-year-old girl who went missing for 18 days in Australia, was found “alive and well” on Tuesday. According to local police, the child was locked in a home in Carnarvon, Western Australia. There is a detainee.
Deputy local police commissioner Col Blanche said that the girl was found at night after a search in the house located about 70 kilometers from the camp, where Cleo disappeared.
“A group of police entered the locked house in Carnarvon at 1 am,” he said, citing the international press. “They found little Cleo in one of the rooms.”
“One of the policemen grabbed her in his arms and asked:“ What is your name? “To which she replied,” My name is Cleo, “he added.
“This is the result we all hoped for and prayed for,” said the deputy commissioner. “This is the result we have achieved thanks to the incredible work of the police.”
The man was arrested and is being interrogated by the authorities.
The girl disappeared on the morning of October 16 when she was camping with her family. Initial evidence indicated that the child was lost, but after several searches, authorities began to view the case as kidnapping.
On Twitter, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison responded to “wonderful news.”
“What great news. Cleo Smith was found and returned home safe and sound. Our prayers have been answered. Thanks to the many agents involved in finding Cleo and supporting her family, ”he wrote.
