Cleo Smith, right, and her mother Ellie Smith leave a house where they spent the night after 4-year-old Cleo was rescued in Carnarvon, Australia.
(Picture: AP)Detectives are investigating whether more than one person was involved in the abduction of Cleo Smith.
But she was dramatically rescued after a four-member police team used a battering ram to smash into a locked house in Carnarvon last Wednesday.
A 36-year-old local resident, named Terence Kelly, has been charged with forcibly taking a child among other offenses.
But officers are now investigating whether Mr Kelly had an accomplice. This line of inquiry sparked after Cleo reportedly told detectives that an unnamed woman helped dress and brush her hair during the abduction.
“Our focus this week is for us to ascertain if there was anyone else involved. That’s why we’re still here,” Detective Cameron Blaine 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,” the statement said.
“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.”
Media have reported Kelly raised suspicion among other residents when he was seen buying diapers and was known to have no children, but police have disclosed little information about what made the man a suspect.
