Cleo Smith's parents 'considering major change' for their daughter
Cleo Smith’s parents are reportedly contemplating changing the four-year-old’s name in an attempt to shield her from the spotlight.
The little girl’s picture was plastered on news sites across Australia and the world after she was allegedly abducted from her family’s tent at the Blowholes campsite, north of Carnarvon in Western Australia, on October 16.
Her disappearance, the police search and her miraculous rescue 18 days later thrust her family, including mum Ellie Smith and stepdad Jake Gliddon, in front of the cameras.
At the time, WA Premier Mark McGowan boasted that movies would be made about the captivating case.
Now, her parents are reportedly concerned about what effect it will have on Cleo as she becomes an adult, Daily Mail Australia reports.
“They’re worried about the repercussions of the media and so forth down the track,” a source told the publication.
“They’re worried about people making the connection later on down the line.”
It is understood the parents have also been seeking advice from other families who have been through traumatic events after being encouraged to do so by police.
A forensics psychologist told Daily Mail Australia the couple seeking help is “a great thing”.
On Friday morning, The Australian revealed the Nine Network has paid $2 million for an exclusive interview with Cleo's parents.
There are also talks of a six-part special for streaming service Stan.
Cleo Smith's alleged abductor to face court again
The man who allegedly abducted Cleo, Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, is due to appear at the Carnarvon Magistrates Court on Monday.
He is facing multiple charges including forcibly taking a child under 16.
Earlier this month Kelly was handed the fresh charge of assaulting a police officer on November 4, court listings indicate.
Details of the new charge are expected to be revealed in court next week.
Cleo was rescued from a property just minutes from her family home in Carnarvon.
Police forced entry to the home and found the little girl alone in a room, physically unharmed and playing with toys.
Kelly was arrested on a nearby street around the same time. He is alleged to have acted alone and is yet to enter a plea to his charges.
Police have said he has no connection to Cleo's family.
With AAP
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