Who Is Cleo Smith?
Cleo Smith, a four-year-old Australian girl, vanished from a campsite in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region on October 16, 2021. (WA). A 36-year-old man from Carnarvon is accused of kidnapping her. She was discovered alive and well on November 3rd, after police raided the man’s home. Her safe recovery after eighteen days was described as extremely rare, and she received widespread media coverage and social media reaction both in Australia and around the world.
What Happened To Cleo Smith?
Cleo Smith was discovered alone in a house six minutes’ drive from her family’s home in Carnarvon, a coastal town about 560 miles north of Perth. Ellie Smith, her mother, wrote on Instagram, “Our family is whole again.”
Cleo was discovered “alive, well, and smiling” in a house raid at around 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to national broadcaster ABC. When one of the four officers who kicked down the door asked her name, she replied, “My name is Cleo.”
In the early hours of October 16, last year, the four-year-old went missing from her family’s tent at the Quobba Blowholes Campsite, 75 kilometres from their hometown of Carnarvon. She had been missing for 18 days before police discovered her at a home in Carnarvon. Ms Smith revealed in the Nine special that she believes Cleo’s bike, which was left outside their tent, drew the attention of alleged abductor Terence Darrell Kelly.
Who Took Cleo Smith?
Darrell, Terence Kelly had Cleo at his Carnarvon home for 18 days last year. Kelly pleaded guilty earlier this year in court and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the child-stealing charge. His sentencing hearing will be held over two days, according to the WA District Court. The dates have been set for December 13 and 14. Kelly was arrested and charged with forcibly taking a child under the age of 16 after receiving hospital treatment for what were believed to be self-inflicted injuries. Kelly’s obsession with Bratz dolls, which he kept dozens of in a room at his house, some still in their boxes, was revealed later.
Cleo Smith Found At House
A massive land, air, and sea search was immediately launched, but no trace of her was found and fears for her safety grew as the days and weeks passed. Mr Kelly had only been identified as a suspect hours before she was discovered, according to police. Forensic investigators spent the next seven days searching his home and removing bags of items for further examination.
WA Today claimed that Kelly has a “doll room” inside his home after videos emerged of the Australian “recording himself inside a room filled with dozens of dolls”. He also reportedly uploaded photos to Facebook in April 2020 which show him “taking a doll for a car drive”.
Image source: Twitter
Who Is Terence Darrell Kelly?
Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, appeared in Carnarvon Magistrates Court via video link from Casuarina Prison, wearing a light grey t-shirt and his long hair pulled back from his face. Kate Turtley-Chappel, his lawyer, appeared via audio link from Perth and said she had received some material from police and expected more next week.
Ms Turtley-Chappel requested a seven-week adjournment, which Magistrate Benjamin White granted. Mr. Kelly was not required to speak and simply nodded to confirm his identity. He did not seek bail and was remanded in custody until his next appearance via video link on January 24.
Image Source: Twitter
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