The missing four-year-old girl, Cleo Smith, was found safe and sound in a house in Carnarvon, police in Australia state, reports ABC News.
According to a statement from the police, they broke into the house around 01.00 and found her in one of the rooms.
Cleo was reunited with his parents a short time later, and late to the hospital for a checkup. She must be physically unharmed.
Police say a local Carnarvon man has been arrested and questioned.
Collaborates with the police
At a press conference on Wednesday morning, the police say that the local man is 36 years old, and cooperates with the police.
– I do not want to say anything more about the man at the moment, but there will be more information eventually, says Police Commissioner Chris Dawson in the Western Australia Police Force.
It is currently unclear what the man will be charged with, but the police assume that a charge will be issued during Wednesday.
The police chief says that a patrol of four people entered the man’s address on Wednesday night. Just hours earlier, they had, through broad police work, directed suspicion at the man. Mobile phone data should be part of the basis for this suspicion, without the police wanting to elaborate on this further.
– The result we hoped for and asked for
Cleo has been missing since October 16, after disappearing from the tent she slept in with her parents at Blowholes, a popular campsite north of Carnarvon in Australia.
At Wednesday’s press conference, the police confirmed that the four-year-old was abducted from the campsite.
Her disappearance triggered an extensive search across Western Australia.
– This is the result we all hoped and asked for, which we have achieved due to incredible police work. I want to thank Cleo’s parents, the Western Australian community and the many volunteers. And of course I want to thank my colleagues in the Western Australia Police Force, said Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch, in a statement from the police.
New, “shocking” details
– My name is Cleo
Police Officer Cameron Blaine was among the four who found Cleo. He felt what he describes as a mixture of shock and relief when he saw the four-year-old in the room.
Blaine still asked the girl to confirm who she was.
– I had to ask her for her name three times before she answered. Then she replied “My name is Cleo”. And that was that. We turned and walked out of the house.
The officer met the girl again on Wednesday morning.
– She is a very sweet, energetic girl. She is open and trusting towards us.
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