Abduction of Cleo Smith

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"Cleo Smith" redirects here. For the baseball player, see Cleo Smith (baseball).
Abduction of Cleo Smith
Date16 October – 3 November 2021 (2021-10-16 – 2021-11-03)
LocationGascoyne, Western Australia
PerpetratorTerence Darrell Kelly
OutcomeFound alive and well by police
MissingCleo Smith
ConvictionsForcibly taking a child under 16, obstructing police
Sentence13 years and 6 months in jail, $1000 fine

Cleo Smith, a four-year-old Australian girl, was abducted on 16 October 2021 from a campsite in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (WA). She was found alive and well on 3 November, after police raided the home of Terence Darrell Kelly in the nearby town of Carnarvon. Her safe recovery after eighteen days was described as extremely rare, and received widespread news coverage and social media reaction both across Australia and internationally.[1] Kelly was convicted of child abduction and sentenced to 13 years and 6 months in jail.

Disappearance

At the time of the incident, four-year-old Cleo Smith lived with her mother Ellie Smith, stepfather Jake Gliddon and her sister, in Carnarvon, Western Australia.[2] At approximately 6:30 p.m. on 15 October 2021, the family arrived at the Blowholes campsite in Macleod, around 80 km north of Carnarvon, for a weekend visit.[3][4]

In an interview after Cleo's disappearance, Ellie said the girl had gone to bed in the family's tent at around 8 p.m., woke up early the next morning at 1:30 a.m. asking for water, and had returned to sleep after being given water. When the family woke at 6 a.m. on 16 October, they discovered both Cleo and her sleeping bag missing. The tent the family was sleeping in was opened to a length of about 30 cm from its fully-open position.[5]

Search

The family briefly searched the area for Cleo, and informed police at 6:23 a.m.[6] after they realised she was not in the vicinity of the campsite.[5] A police car was dispatched seven minutes after the phone call, and arrived at the campsite at 7:10 a.m.[6] Police conducted an air, land and sea search around the area for most of the day.[7][8] Ellie stated Cleo had not left by herself, saying on 19 October "she would never leave us, she would never leave the tent".[3][5]

On 20 October, Acting Deputy Commissioner Daryl Gaunt of the Western Australia Police Force said claims the case was being treated as an abduction were incorrect, explaining the case was being treated primarily as a search and rescue case.[9] Inspector Jon Munday said on that same day that the zip on Cleo's tent was open higher than she could have reached, stating the positioning of the zipper was a primary factor which had given rise to concerns about Cleo's safety.[10]

It was announced on 21 October that the police believed Cleo had been abducted, with WA Premier Mark McGowan announcing a A$1 million reward for anyone with information on her disappearance.[11][12] Various Australian media organisations reported this reward attracted bounty hunters to Carnarvon to search for Cleo.[13][14][15]

Taskforce Rodia was launched by the Western Australian Police Force with assistance from the Australian Federal Police, involving more than 100 police officers led by Superintendent Rod Wilde.[16][17][18]

While police did not rule out the possibility Cleo could have been taken out of WA to another state, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson noted strict border controls had been put in place in WA and other states, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which would make undetected travel out of the state difficult.[19][20]

Discovery

On 3 November 2021, Cleo was found by police, alive and well, inside a locked house located minutes from her family home in Carnarvon.[21] A 36-year-old man was subsequently taken into custody after a car he was driving was stopped by police.[22] Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch said police had broken into the house at 12:46 a.m. and found Cleo in one of the rooms. Cleo was reunited with her family the same day.[23][24][25] After being reunited with her daughter at the Carnarvon hospital, Cleo's mother noticed that her hair had been cut and dyed.[26]

Police Commissioner Dawson called the day of her discovery "one of the most remarkable days in policing in Western Australia", and explained that forensic leads had led them to obtain a search warrant for the house.[27] The discovery was attributed by the police to a key clue of a car spotted driving from the campsite in the early hours of 16 October, with the police having made a public plea for further information about it on 25 October.[28] According to Blanch, police work utilising a large amount of information in the case was essential.[28][29]

The man who was taken into custody had no connection to Cleo's family, but was known to police.[27][30] The man was described by his neighbours as very quiet and an oddball but had not been under suspicion by them.[31] He had fallen under police suspicion the day before his arrest.[30] His alleged crime was described by police superintendent Rod Wilde as opportunistic.[30]

Reactions

Cleo's return was met with widespread joy and relief around Australia.[32][33][34] Dawson was said to have broken down in tears upon hearing the news.[35] The successful recovery also attracted media interest around the world.[36][37][38]

According to Xanthé Mallett, associate professor of criminology at the University of Newcastle, it was extremely rare to find a child safe after such a lengthy time missing, and the case did not fit the pattern of the majority of child abduction cases.[39]

In the aftermath of Cleo's discovery, both ABC News and The Guardian published articles contrasting her case with the coverage and investigation of missing Indigenous Australian children.[40][41]

Criminal proceedings

On 4 November 2021, police charged 36-year-old Carnarvon resident Terence Darrell Kelly with two offences including one count of forcibly taking a child under 16.[42] He appeared before the Carnarvon Magistrates Court and did not apply for bail. The matter returned to court on 6 December 2021.[43] Kelly was flown to Perth on 5 November 2021 and was transferred to Casuarina Prison.[44] He appeared via video link and pleaded guilty to one count of child stealing, but did not enter a plea on a charge of assaulting a public officer.[45] The assault charge was subsequently downgraded to obstructing police officers, to which he pleaded guilty on 30 January 2023 and was fined $1000.[46]

On 5 April 2023, Kelly was sentenced in Perth District Court to 13-and-a-half years in jail.[47] Kelly will be eligible for parole after serving 11-and-a-half years.[48]

Misidentification of suspect

On 3 November 2021, media outlet Seven News named the wrong person as Cleo's alleged abductor, retracting and apologising later that day.[49] The person misidentified claimed that the incident led to him receiving death threats and required him to undergo medical treatment following a severe panic attack; in response he planned to sue Seven for defamation.[50] The defamation case was resolved in February 2022, with Seven West Media agreeing to pay out a settlement deal.[51]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cleo Smith: How Australian police found the missing four-year-old". BBC News. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. ^ de Kruijff, Peter (20 October 2021). "No leads, no suspects but Carnarvon still searching for answers in Cleo Smith case". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Cassidy, Caitlin (19 October 2021). "'She would never leave the tent': mother of Cleo Smith speaks of disappearance from WA campsite". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  4. ^ de Kruijff, Peter (17 October 2021). "'Sleeping bag reported missing': Police not ruling out abduction in search for missing Carnarvon girl". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Carmody, James; Perpitch, Nicolas (19 October 2021). "Cleo Smith's mother has 'no idea' what happened to four-year-old missing from Carnarvon Blowholes". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Cleo Smith search: WA Police reveal most detailed timeline of their response to Cleo's disappearance yet". PerthNow. 29 October 2021. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Cleo Smith search: Timeline of important events". The West Australian. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  8. ^ Bourke, Keane (16 October 2021). "Police launch search for Cleo Smith, 4, missing from family's tent at Blowholes Shacks, north of Carnarvon". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  9. ^ Perpitch, Nicolas (20 October 2021). "How WA police are scouring the land for clues to Cleo Smith disappearance from Carnarvon blowholes". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  10. ^ Cassidy, Caitlin (20 October 2021). "Cleo Smith: WA police say tent zip was undone higher than four-year-old could have reached". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  11. ^ Kagi, Jacob; Carmody, James (21 October 2021). "Police believe Cleo Smith, 4, was abducted from remote WA campsite as million dollar reward offered". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  12. ^ de Kruijff, Peter; McNeill, Heather (21 October 2021). "$1 million reward for information that leads police to Cleo Smith". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. ^ Zaczek, Zoe (26 October 2021). "Bounty hunters travel to Carnarvon, WA to help find Cleo Smith following $1 million reward announcement". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  14. ^ Mayes, Andrea (27 October 2021). "Million-dollar Cleo Smith reward lures bounty hunters to search for four-year-old missing from Blowholes campsite". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  15. ^ Dugan, Brianna (28 October 2021). "Cleo Smith search: Bounty hunters pestering locals for information". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Australian Federal Police Join Taskforce As Search For Cleo Smith Intensifies". Triple M. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Cleo taskforce chief headed to Carnarvon". PerthNow. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Hero cops HONOURED for Cleo Smith rescue". PerthNow. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  19. ^ Carmody, James (23 October 2021). "Cleo Smith's disappearance sparks one of WA's largest search operations amid abduction fears". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  20. ^ "No evidence pointing to Cleo Smith being taken across border". WA Today. 24 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  21. ^ Pascual Juanola, Marta; de Kruijff, Peter; White, Daniella (3 November 2021). "'Our family is whole again': Missing four-year-old Cleo Smith reunited with her family, man in custody". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  22. ^ Wu, David; Wu, Crystal (3 November 2021). "Missing girl Cleo Smith found 'alive and well' in locked Carnarvon home, Western Australia Police confirm". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  23. ^ "Cleo Smith found alive in Western Australia". Nine News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Cleo Smith found alive by WA police in Carnarvon". ABC News. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  25. ^ Thomas, Geoffrey (3 November 2021). "Cleo Smith found: Police plane arrives in Carnarvon to pick up alleged abductor". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Mum says Cleo has 'blocked out' abduction details". The New Daily. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  27. ^ a b Marsh, Peter (3 November 2021). "Locating Cleo Smith was 'one of the most remarkable days in policing in Western Australia', says commissioner". ABC News. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  28. ^ a b Hastie, Hamish (3 November 2021). "'We've got someone here that wants to speak to you': the call Ellie Smith received at 1am". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  29. ^ "First pics of man arrested over Cleo's alleged abduction". The West Australian. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  30. ^ a b c "Man arrested over Cleo Smith's disappearance 'known to police'". Nine News. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  31. ^ "'He is a very quiet guy': Neighbours' shock over Cleo arrest". The West Australian. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Free coffees, cartons and Perth in lights: WA celebrates". PerthNow. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  33. ^ "Australia breathes a collective sigh of relief as missing girl Cleo Smith found alive". 7NEWS. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Nation's relief as Cleo Smith found alive". Australian Associated Press. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  35. ^ Juanola, Daniella and White, Marta Pascual (3 November 2021). "WA's top cop 'broke down in tears' after Cleo Smith was found through 'car clue'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Zhuang, Yan (3 November 2021). "'My Name Is Cleo': Girl, 4, Is Found 18 Days After Vanishing From Campsite". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  37. ^ "Cleo Smith: Missing 4-year-old found alive in Australia". BBC News. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  38. ^ "Australian Girl Found Alive After 18-Day Hunt, Detectives "Openly Cried"". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
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  40. ^ Wellington, Shahni; Wellauer, Kirstie; Williams, Carly (7 November 2021). "Cleo Smith case sparks calls to treat Indigenous missing children cases equally". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  41. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (5 November 2021). "Cleo Smith search ends in joy. But what of Australia's other missing children?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  42. ^ Perpitch, Nicolas (4 November 2021). "Detectives face long road ahead to piece together Cleo Smith puzzle". ABC News. Retrieved 5 November 2021. Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, was not required to enter a plea when [...] charged with forcibly taking a child under 16, and one other charge.
  43. ^ O'Connor, Cecil (4 November 2021). "Carnarvon man Terence Darrell Kelly charged with abducting Cleo Smith". ABC News. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  44. ^ Steger, Sarah (5 November 2021). "Cleo Smith found: Accused kidnapper Terence Kelly lands at Jandakot Airport, transported to Perth prison". The West Australian. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  45. ^ Menagh, Joanna (24 January 2022). "Cleo Smith's abductor admits child stealing after little girl disappeared from tent in outback WA". ABC News. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  46. ^ "'It was just a confusing time': Cleo Smith's abductor admits obstructing police after arrest". ABC News. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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  48. ^ Housden, Tom (5 April 2023). "Cleo Smith: Terence Kelly jailed for 13 years for abducting four-year-old girl". BBC News. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
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  51. ^ Pilat, Lauren (16 February 2022). "'Very happy': Seven West Media pays out man wrongfully accused of Cleo Smith abduction". WAToday. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
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