'Our little girl is back': Cleo Smith's family speaks after emotional reunion
The parents of Cleo Smith say they are thankful their little girl is back in their arms and their family “is whole again”.
Cleo, 4, was miraculously found alive and well in a Carnarvon home in WA in the early hours of Wednesday morning after police raided the property.
She went missing on October 16 while camping with her family including her mum Ellie and stepdad Jake Gliddon.
On Friday, the couple released a statement, thankful their little girl is back home in the loving comfort of her family following an ordeal which lasted more than two weeks.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the rescue of our daughter Cleo Smith,” her parents said.
“In particular, we would like to thank WA Police, all those involved in the initial search, the Carnarvon community, local businesses and of course our family and friends.
“We are humbled by the love and support that we have received from not only our local community but the whole of Western Australia and across the country.
“We are so thankful that our little girl is back within our arms and our family is whole again.
“As we try to get on with our lives, we ask that you respect our privacy.”
Their sentiment for WA Police echoes that of many members of the Carnarvon, wider WA community and indeed the Australian population – thankful and overjoyed that little Cleo is OK.
What’s better – she seems to be happy. Cleo was photographed smiling with an ice block after her ordeal.
She seems to enjoy them although she spilled one while Premier Mark McGowan paid her a visit on Thursday.
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