“My name is Cleo.”
Police is Australia have released audio of the incredible moment that four-year-old Cleo Smith was rescued from a house in Carnarvon, in Western Australia’s Gascoyne.
The young girl had been missing from 19 days after disappearing from her family tent just north of the area in October.
Following an extensive and widespread search, she was reunited with her mother Ellie and stepfather Jake yesterday.
Local police in Western Australia have since released an audio recording of the moment that the young girl was recovered.
You can listen below:
"My name is Cleo." pic.twitter.com/xiy59x4kjP
— WA Police Force (@WA_Police) November 4, 2021
Cleo was rescued from a locked house Carnarvon, not far from where her family lives. A man has since been charged with her abduction.
Terrance Darrell Kelly was taken to hospital twice while in police detention. Some outlets have reported that he suffered self-inflicted injuries while in custody.
Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch confirmed Cleo’s rescue stating: “It’s my privilege to announce that in the early hours of this morning, the Western Australia police force rescued Cleo Smith. Cleo is alive and well.”
Cleo’s mother Ellie posted a photo of Cleo onto her Instagram account and wrote: “Our family is whole again.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also welcomed news of Cleo’s safe return, saying: “What wonderful, relieving news. Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered.”
“Thank you to the many police officers involved in finding Cleo and supporting her family.”
Criminologist Xanthe Mallett, of the University of Newcastle, told the New York Times that the chances of Cleo being found alive had been “very low” as the days passed.
“The likelihood of her being recovered alive was very low and getting lower as the days passed,” she said. “For a child to be taken and found well after nearly 19 days, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this kind of outcome.”
“It was the hard work of the team that did it,” added Police Commissioner Chris Dawson. “All that information, gathering it all, working through it, and finding that needle in that haystack.”
