Detectives reveal new possibility in Cleo Smith’s alleged abduction

Detectives are trying to determine if more than one person was involved in four-year-old Cleo Smith’s alleged abduction.

Police in Western Australia are trying to determine if more than one person was involved in the alleged abduction of Cleo Smith.

The four-year-old was allegedly taken from the family tent while camping at Quobba Blowholes, 75km north of Carnarvon, on October 16.

Cleo was missing for 18 days until she was rescued by police from a locked room in a house in the West Australian town.

Terence Darrell Kelly, who has been charged with abducting her, will remain in a maximum-security prison in Perth until his next court appearance in December.

Mr Kelly, 36, was arrested about an hour before Cleo was found and has since been charged with various offences including one count of forcibly taking a child aged under 16.

Detective senior sergeant Cameron Blaine, one of the officers who found Cleo, said on Monday the investigation was going well but there was more work to do.

“Our focus this week is for us to ascertain whether there was anyone else involved. That’s why we are still here,” he told reporters in Carnarvon.

“So, we just ask that if there was anyone that had any contact with Mr Kelly, whether you saw him, whether you met with him, whether you spoke to him on the phone during the relevant period to please make yourself known to police.”

Cleo Smith was reunited with her mother Ellie Smith and stepfather Jake Gliddon in Carnarvon. Picture: Colin Murty

Cleo was found “alive and well” just before 1am on November 3 after detectives forced their way into a property not far from her family home.

One of the officers picked her up into his arms and asked “What is your name?” to which she replied: “My name is Cleo”.

She was reunited with her mother Ellie Smith, stepfather Jake Gliddon and baby sister Isla shortly after.

Police on Monday spent their sixth day at the home where Cleo was found, combing through evidence for one of the biggest investigations in WA history.

A mobile phone was reportedly in one of the bags of evidence seized from the home along with a Bratz doll, crayons, pens and markers.

Terence Darrell Kelly was flown to prison in Perth to wait for his next court appearance. Picture: Colin Murty

Lead investigator Rod Wilde last week revealed mobile phone data was used to help them home in on Mr Kelly.

“So we put the phone data over number-plate recognition data, CCTV, witness accounts, forensics … and when you layer them on top of each other you solve crimes and that is merely what we have done here,” he said.

Police have said they do not believe Cleo’s abduction was planned.

Her disappearance sparked a massive land, air and sea search, and hit headlines around the world.

The case was cracked by a task-force of more than 100 and WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson has praised all involved with immense pride.

WA Police Acting Commissioner Col Blanch told The West Australian it took “every piece of the puzzle” to find the little girl.