A four-year-old girl missing for 18 days in a remote part of Western Australia has been found alive and well in a locked house, police have said.

Cleo Smith disappeared from her family's tent at a campsite near the town of Carnarvon on 16 October, triggering a massive search.

A 36-year-old man is in custody and being questioned by detectives.

Police smashed their way into a home in Carnarvon in the early hours of Wednesday, following forensic clues.

"They found little Cleo in one of the rooms," Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch from WA Police said in a statement.

"One of the officers picked her up into his arms and asked her, 'What's your name?' She said 'My name is Cleo'."

The girl has been reunited with her parents, who had made desperate pleas for Cleo's return.

"Our family is whole again," her mother, Ellie Smith, wrote on Instagram.

Police footage of Cleo's rescue showed her "smiling" and "as well as we could expect in the circumstances", said Commissioner Chris Dawson, who added she was receiving medical care.

Authorities say the man in custody has no connection to the Smith family. No charges have been laid.

The house where Cleo was found is about six minutes' drive from her family home in Carnarvon, which has about 5,000 residents.

Australian PM Scott Morrison tweeted it was "wonderful, relieving news". Commissioner Dawson said: "I think Australia is rejoicing."

"To find a little girl - a vulnerable little girl - after 18 days. You know, obviously people think the worst, but importantly hope was never lost," the commissioner added.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1448 HRS, NOV 03, 2021
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