A source close to Madeleine McCann's parents, Gerry and Kate, has said the family has been given "hope" after missing four-year-old Cleo Smith was found alive on Wednesday (November 3).
The four-year-old was found yesterday in a locked house in Carnarvon, Western Australia, not far from her family's home. She went missing from her parent's tent on October 16 on a campsite in Carnarvon— which triggered a huge search, and eventually led to her recovery, over 60 miles away from where she disappeared.
West Australian police have charged 36-year-old, Terrence Darrell Kelly, in relation to the alleged abduction of the child.
Cleo's case was quickly dubbed "Australia's Madeleine McCann" as people drew similarities between the two youngsters' disappearances.
Madeleine was also four-years-old when she disappeared on the evening of May 3, 2007, from her bed at a resort in Portugal's Algarve — over 14 years ago.
A source close to the family has told The Sun that Kate and Gerry are reportedly "thankful" that Cleo has been found.
"Kate and Gerry knew about the case which has had a lot of publicity here and like many people were willing the child to be found safe and well," the insider alleged. "It’s the news every parent of a missing child hopes and prays for no matter how long it has been."
They added: "Kidnapped children can be found, this case is proof and gives Kate and Gerry and all those other families of missing people hope. They never stop hoping for that happy and positive news."
Police broke into a house in Carnarvon around 1 PM on Wednesday, and found Cleo alone in a locked room.
In the short video taken in the evening, Cleo is seen being carried by a police officer in a hat and a hoodie as she is greeted by one of the investigators.
Detective Senior Sergeant Cameron Blaine says to the child: "Cleo, my name's Cameron, how are you? Are you okay? We're going to take you to see your mommy and daddy, OK? Is that good?"
Cleo is seen nodding in response to the questions, but does not appear to say anything to the detective.
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, expressed joy at the news on Twitter. "What wonderful, relieving news. Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered," he wrote. "Thank you to the many police officers involved in finding Cleo and supporting her family."
Per The Guardian, the WA police minister, Paul Papalia, said of the four-year-old's rescue: "If you feel the need to thank God today, thank God for the West Australian police force. Cleo's rescue wasn't the result of an accidental sighting or a suspicious event, it was the result of hard police grind from the moment this incident began."
