Cleo Smith’s parents share heartwarming update three years after horror kidnapping

Three years after Cleo Smith’s kidnapping in remote Western Australia, her parents have shared a heartwarming update.

In further signs kidnapping victim Cleo Smith is adjusting well to her normal life after her horror kidnapping three years ago, her parents have shared an update on the young girl.

Images shared this week show Cleo, now seven, receiving gymnastics awards.

The gymnastics images, shared on Sunday, show Cleo is all smiles, holding a medal and ribbons after a routine on the balance beam.

An image of seven-year-old Cleo Smith, shared by her parents on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“Such a beautiful brave girl who Australia got to know. Glad she is doing so well and you should be so proud of your gymnastics achievement,” one commenter said.

“I love seeing an update on how she is going.”

Cleo was kidnapped from a campsite 1000km north of Perth in October 2021.

Police found the then-four-year-old 18 days later, not far from her family home.

Terence Kelly is appealing a 13-year and six-month prison sentence he received for the incident.

Cleo Smith’s parents have shared multiple updates on the young girl since the abduction. Picture: Supplied

Cleo’s abduction from her sleeping bag on a family holiday garnered international headlines.

A huge search operation was launched around the remote town of Carnarvon, in northwest Western Australia, and hundreds of kilometres up and down stretches of the coast.

Many Carnarvon residents did all they could to help the search. Picture: ABC News

After 18 days, officers found Cleo in Kelly’s Carnarvon home during a late-night raid.

Kelly was arrested near the home, and he has been in custody in Perth since.

At the sentencing hearing, the court was told while the child was being held, Kelly tried to tie her up with sticky tape, but it did not work so he tied her to a chair.

Another Indigenous man, Terrance Flowers, was wrongly identified by Channel 7 as the kidnapper. The media outlet reached a confidential settlement with Mr Flowers. Picture: Ngaarda Media Aboriginal Corporation

Cleo had also heard her name mentioned on the radio, the court was told, and there was evidence Kelly turned up the radio to drown out her pleading for her mother.

Kelly pleaded guilty to abduction, and was given an 11-year non parole period.

Images of Cleo’s rescue went around the globe. Picture: WA Police

At an appeal hearing in February, the court was told Kelly has various mental impairments, including a severe personality dysfunction, and those impairments, rather than his methamphetamine use, were significant in the commission of the crime.

Police found Cleo during a late-night raid of Kelly’s house. Picture: WA Police

Kelly’s lawyers are challenging the 13-and-a-half year sentence, and the WA Court of Appeal is yet to release its decision.

In the years since the ordeal, Cleo’s parents have shared a few updates on the girl.

“So glad you’re living a normal childhood,” another commenter posted on the gymnastics photos.

“Your parents have done a fantastic job. It feels like we all are a part of your life and so grateful you are here.”

Originally published as Cleo Smith’s parents share heartwarming update three years after horror kidnapping