Tip off shifts direction of missing Cleo Smith case
Detectives investigating the Cleo Smith disappearance have revealed a significant development in the case as they now shift their focus to a car spotted leaving the campsite shortly after the four-year-old went missing.
The car was spotted leaving the Blowholes Campgrounds just after 3am on the same morning Cleo went missing from her family.
Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde of the Major Crime Division told reporters on Sunday, October 24th that they want the person “to come forward and contact police”.
“We want to know who they were and what they were doing,” he said.
“The time is not exact but we believe it to have been between 3am and 3.30am.
“We believe it was a passenger vehicle, not a truck.”
The latest development comes as forensic officers scoured the home of Cleo Smith on Saturday October 23rd for any clues that could lead to a breakthrough, following fears the alleged abduction may have been premeditated. After searching the family home police were unable to find any evidence that points to a stalker and made it clear Cleo’s parents are not the target of their investigation.
Someone out there knows what happened to four-year-old Cleo Smith.
Police are working tirelessly to bring Cleo home after she disappeared in the early hours of Saturday 16 October.
If you know anything that could bring Cleo home, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. pic.twitter.com/G5dfZFJsif
— WA Police Force (@WA_Police) October 24, 2021
The Western Australian Government has offered a $1 million reward for information resulting in finding Cleo, or leading to the arrest of those involved in her disappearance. Premier Mark McGowan announced in a statement that “we’re all praying for a positive outcome”.
“All Western Australians’ thoughts are with Cleo’s family during what is an unimaginably difficult time,” he said.
“We want to ensure police have everything they need to solve this case and that’s why my Government has no hesitation in supporting police with this reward offer.”
In a statement, the Western Australian Police Minister Paul Papalia has urged anyone with information to come forward.
“I’d hope most people would willingly come forward if they had information that could assist police, but if this reward motivates someone to help police bring Cleo home, then the Government is more than happy to offer it.
“I urge anyone who knows what happened to little Cleo to come forward with the information police need to find her.”
Cleo’s mother, Ellie Smith took to social media in an urgent plea for any information on her missing daughter following McGowan’s announcement. Alongside a Crimestoppers’ poster, she captioned the post, “Any information big or small. Find my little girl.”
View this post on Instagram
Cleo was last seen sleeping in a red and black sleeping bag and was wearing a pink/purple one-piece sleep-suit with a blue and yellow pattern. Grave concerns are held for Cleo’s safety as WA Police end their search of the campgrounds and shift to investigating Cleo’s suspected abduction. WA Police have utilised the assistance of SES personnel, drones and aircraft to locate the missing child.
Have you seen four-year-old Cleo Smith?
Cleo was last seen sleeping in a red and black sleeping bag and was wearing a pink/purple one-piece sleep-suit with a blue and yellow pattern.
Read more here: https://t.co/8iyvaTusLA pic.twitter.com/46wYK6ZLem
— WA Police Force (@WA_Police) October 18, 2021
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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