Girl, 4, who was snatched from camping tent 2 weeks ago is back with family, Australian police say

CANBERRA, Australia — A 4-year-old lady was rescued safely and a person was arrested Wednesday greater than two weeks after the lady was suspected to have been snatched from her household’s tenting tent on Australia’s west coast, police stated.

Police discovered Cleo Smith in a home within the coastal city of Carnarvon, and a 36-year-old native man was taken into custody in an early morning raid, police stated.

The lady was reunited with mom Ellie Smith and stepfather Jake Gliddon quickly after her rescue. “Our household is complete once more,” the mom stated on social media.

“Cleo is alive and nicely,” Western Australia Police Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch stated.

“One of many officers picked her up into his arms and requested her: ‘What’s your title?’ She stated: ‘My title is Cleo,’” Blanch added.

It’s unclear whether or not a 1 million Australian greenback ($743,000) reward provided 5 days after her disappearance led police to her.

Cleo’s household lives in Carnarvon, a neighborhood of 5,000 individuals, and forensic scientists had examined the outside of their house for proof {that a} predator had stalked Cleo and tried to interrupt in.

The lady disappeared along with her sleeping bag on the second day of a household journey at Blowholes Campground, 47 miles north of Carnarvon on Oct. 16.

Cleo and her youthful sister had been in a compartment of the tent separate from their dad and mom. Police suspected she had been kidnapped as a result of a zipper on a tent flap had been raised to a peak that she couldn’t have reached.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson stated physique digicam video of 4 cops breaking into the home with a search warrant and discovering the lady introduced a tear to his eye.

Dawson wouldn’t element what the lady had gone via.

She was “in addition to you’ll be able to anticipate,” Dawson stated. “This has been an ordeal. I received’t go into any extra particulars, apart from to say we’re so grateful she’s alive.”

Dawson stated “dogged, methodical police work” led to her being discovered.

The disappearance had captivated the nation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison thanked police for locating Cleo and supporting her household.

“What fantastic, relieving information. Cleo Smith has been discovered and is house protected and sound,” Morrison tweeted.

“Our prayers answered,” Morrison added.