Australians react to news missing girl Cleo Smith has been found

There has been an outpouring of relief and happiness among Aussie over news Cleo Smith had been found, after a tough couple of years.

Australians have reacted with relief and joy at news missing four-year-old Cleo Smith was found alive and well in Western Australia.

Police released a statement confirming they had found Cleo in the early hours of this morning after breaking their way into a house in Carnarvon, about 70km from the campsite where she disappeared.

Cleo’s mum Ellie Smith posted a message on Instagram saying: “Our family is whole again”.

The good news has been welcomed by many Australians after a tough couple of years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Former journalist Ben Kimber tweeted it was a “welcome reminder miracles do happen”.

Comedian Scott Dooley said the good news felt like a turning point.

“Does the Cleo Smith news make you feel like we’re out of the woods a bit? After the best part of 2 years being beaten down, it’s nice to get some good news,” he wrote on Twitter.

Others appeared to agree, saying it was the best news to come out of 2020 and 2021.

Missing girl Cleo Smith has been found in Western Australian. Picture: Western Australia Police

The relief from those involved in the search for the young girl was also palpable with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller telling 2GB’s Ben Fordham that WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson “broke down and cried” when he got the call this morning.

“That speaks volumes,” Commissioner Fuller said. “I thought the chances of finding her alive were so slim.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is on his way back to Australia after attending the COP26 climate conference, tweeted that Australia’s “prayers (have been) answered”.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted that it was “incredible news”.

Waking up to Cleo smith alive and reunited with her family is the best news to come out of 2020/2021.

— Zoe H (@zoehara5) November 2, 2021

Cleo Smith is safely back in the arms of her parents. Wonderful news.

What this family has been through is every parents’ worst nightmare. To the WA Police, and the community who joined the search, thanks.

Welcome home Cleo.

— Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) November 2, 2021

Happy news for once. An unimaginable relief for her poor family. I hope the wee soul is not too traumatised by whatever she has been through #CleoSmith

— Penjelopie (@penelopedw) November 2, 2021

No matter what else happens today, this is the best news you'll see

Missing four-year-old Cleo Smith has been found https://t.co/9rLgcKwNcB via @farmweekly

— Colin James Bettles (@ColinJBettles) November 2, 2021

What wonderful news to wake up to Cleo Smith having been found . Can imagine how the parents must be feeling and what a reunion it will be. We have all been holding our breath and hoping for the best..❤️#CleoSmith

— 💧Sara (@_sara_jade_) November 2, 2021

Thoughts also turned to another high profile case, with some wondering whether things could have been different for Daniel Morcombe, 13, who was abducted and later found to have been murdered.

I’m thrilled and relieved that Cleo Smith has been found alive. But I can’t help but wonder if we would have had a similar outcome for William Tyrrell had he gotten the same exposure when he went missing.

— pfizer minelli (@mean_nanny) November 2, 2021

There was also praise for Western Australia Police.

How amazing are the WA police? People criticised them but proof that so much more goes on than is ever released to the public, to be able to pinpoint Cleo’s exact location is just AMAZING #CleoSmith

— Carrie (@cdubforever) November 2, 2021

GOOD MORNING @WA_Police you fantastic humans you. We are all cheering you today. Bravo. BRAVO. And welcome home Cleo Smith 👏👏👏

— Kerri Sackville (@KerriSackville) November 2, 2021

Australia has a great big smile on her face - Cleo Smith has been found alive and well in a locked house. 😃👍🏻👏🏻

— Ian Alasdair (@BlueAlasdair) November 2, 2021

Cleo disappeared from the family tent at the Quobba Blowholes campground, in Macleod near Carnarvon in Western Australia’s north, on October 16.

Investigators believed the girl was abducted in the early hours of the morning, after ruling out that she would have been able to wander our of the tent on her own.

Her mum, Ellie Smith, said her daughter woke up at 1.30am asking for water before going back to bed.

Ms Smith then woke up at about 6am to find the tent unzipped and Cleo missing. The police were called just before 6.30am.

For weeks officers have been questioning people who were at the campsite, mapping CCTV cameras, using drones to help with the search and even shifting through tonnes of rubbish for any clues to her whereabouts.