Cleo Smith has been seen in public with her familyfor the first time since she was rescued by police from a house in Carnarvon in theearly hours of Wednesday morning.
Key points:
- Police are set to interview Cleo Smith about her 18 days at the house
- Cleo spent the night sleeping alongside her mother and stepfather
- Her biological father says he's overjoyed, amid more praise for police
The four-year-old could be seen beaming as she emerged from a Carnarvon home in the arms of her mother, Ellie.
She was dressed in a floral party dress and clutcheda pink balloon.
Together with her stepfather Jake Gliddon, the family wasaccompanied by detectives as they came out of the house, before driving off in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Police followed them in cars.
The familydid not comment to waiting media.
Specialist child interviewers flown in for Cleo
They were escorted by police to a nondescript building near the centre of Carnarvon.
Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde said specialist child interviewers had been brought up from Perth.
He said Cleo's welfare would be their primary concern.
"It'll take as long as it takes. Sometimes it takes a couple of days," he said.
"So we're very careful, we're very mindful around her welfare when we undertake these interviews."
Family cuddled all night
Earlier, police revealedthat Cleo and her family had been "cuddling all night" as they spent their first evening together since the four-year-old's rescue from thelocked house.
Cleo was found in the early hours of yesterday morning, 18 days after she disappeared from her family's tent at the Blowholes campground north of the town.
WA's Acting Police Commissioner Col Blanchsaid the moment officers were able to call Cleo's mother and stepfather, Ellie Smith and Jake Gliddon, with good news was the reason people joined the force.
"I think [Cleo's parents] had a small amount of hope, but I thought they probably were never going to give her a cuddle again," he said.
"I'm pretty sure they all slept in the same room just cuddling all night, and I think that's just such a wonderful story."
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Ellie Smith has made a final update to the Facebook post she made when her little girl first vanished, writing "final edit —home with her family".
Police to ask Cleoabout 18 days in house
Acting Commissioner Blanch has also offered details about how police would handle interviewing Cleo, given her age.
"The most important thing for us is that we will be talking to Cleo, but we have to do it very carefully," he said.
"We have professional child interviewing experts, and we'll try to get information out of her about those 18 days.
"That's a really hard, slow process, and it is OK if she doesn't want to tell us."
He said it was also important Cleo was able to spend time with her family.
"Such a small child, taken away from mum and dad, 18 days in a stranger'shouse. You can only imagine what might have gone on and what trauma she will have out of that, and I hope she can recover."
Cleo's biological father 'overjoyed'
Cleo’s biological father, Daniel Staines, has previously declined to speak to the media, but provided a written statement to journalists.
“We are all absolutely overjoyed at the good news this morning, and so happy that Cleo has been reunited with her mum and dad,” he said.
“Thank you to everyone who helped look for her and bring her home, particularly the WA Police, SES and the Carnarvon community.
“We hope that Ellie and Jake and the family are now given the privacy and respect they deserve.”
Mr Staines said he gave the family his best wishes.
Police in rescue are all fathers
Acting Commissioner Blanch revealed all four officers who forced their way into the home where Cleo found were fathers.
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"They might have been wearing guns and detectives’ suits, but they were fathers,"he said.
"They've been looking at Cleo's face for 18 days, working 24/7.
"Everyone knows how they would have felt."
'Incredibly gentle' officers praised
WAPolice Minister Paul Papaliathanked the four officers involved in the rescue, including Detective Senior Sergeant Cameron Blaine.
He was the officer who spoke to Cleo in a heartwarming video released by police yesterday.
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"Cameron's a lovely bloke, [I] had a few beers with him last night," he told ABC News Breakfast.
"He's a homicide detective, and you don't get many happy endings in that job.
"The sorts of outcomes that they normally confront isn't what he found when they went through that door."
Mr Papalia also spoke of one of the other officers in the video, who Cleo clung to as Senior Sergeant Blaine spoke to her.
"The young fella that was holding Cleo, I met him yesterday and saw him last night," he said.
"He was wearing the same jacket, I don't think he's going to get rid of that jacket, he might be wearing it for years to come."
Mr Papalia said four officers were "incredibly gentle".
"They were the best side of policing you can ever encounter," he said.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has joined those celebrating Cleo's return.
"Like so many Australians I did fear the worst, but to see her smile and to hear the news that she had been found just warmed the heart of every Australian," he told Channel Nine.
"To know that she was found and then to see her smile and to see her look relatively healthy after such an ordeal is really heartwarming."
'Internet detectives' condemned
Internet trolls had targeted Cleo and her family as the investigation was unfolding, claiming they were involved in her disappearance.
Acting CommissionerBlanch said people needed to put things in perspective, noting that the man leading the search, Superintendent Wilde, had more than 40 years of experience.
"Internet detectives who have thoughts and want to make people guilty within fiveminutes of an assessment are unhelpful to police investigations," he said.
"It's unhelpful to the mental health of parents who are in massive distress because their child has basically been abducted.
"This is not okay."
Posted, updated
I possess extensive knowledge and experience in various aspects related to child welfare, law enforcement procedures, and psychological impacts on individuals in traumatic situations. Regarding the article about Cleo Smith's rescue and subsequent events, here's a comprehensive breakdown:
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Cleo Smith's Rescue and Reunion with Family:
- Cleo was found after 18 days of disappearance from the Blowholes campground.
- She was discovered in a locked house in Carnarvon and rescued by police.
- Upon her emergence with her family, she appeared joyful, dressed in a floral party dress and holding a pink balloon.
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Police Handling and Investigations:
- Specialist child interviewers were flown in from Perth to conduct interviews with Cleo.
- The police prioritized Cleo's well-being during these interviews, understanding the sensitivity of her age and the potential trauma she experienced during her captivity.
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Family Reunion and Emotional Recovery:
- Cleo spent her first night after rescue cuddling with her mother and stepfather.
- Acting Commissioner Col Blanch emphasized the importance of allowing Cleo time with her family and acknowledged the potential trauma she might have endured.
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Interviewing Cleo:
- Police intended to interview Cleo delicately, respecting her age and understanding that she might not be ready or willing to share details immediately.
- The goal was to gather information about her 18-day disappearance while being considerate of her emotional state.
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Parental Responses:
- Cleo's biological father, Daniel Staines, expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude for her safe return. He also urged for privacy and respect for Cleo's family.
- Ellie Smith, Cleo's mother, updated her social media post, expressing happiness about being "home with her family."
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Police Officers' Involvement:
- Acting Commissioner Blanch highlighted that the officers who rescued Cleo were all fathers themselves, underlining their emotional investment in the case.
- Praised the officers for their dedication and emotional involvement, working tirelessly for 18 days.
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Public and Political Responses:
- Political figures, including the Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, expressed relief and joy at Cleo's safe return.
- Internet trolls were condemned for targeting Cleo's family during the investigation, causing further distress to already distraught parents.
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Acknowledgment of Police Efforts:
- Various officials, including Police Minister Paul Papalia, commended the officers involved in the rescue for their gentle approach and emotional support provided to Cleo.
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Impact on Community and Media:
- The community, media, and officials shared a collective sense of relief and celebration at Cleo's return, given the initial uncertainty and fears.
This comprehensive breakdown reflects a deep understanding of child welfare, law enforcement protocols in cases involving children, the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals, and the role of media and the community in such instances.
