An Australian man accused of kidnapping four-year-old Cleo Smith has pleaded guilty to the child's abduction.
On Monday, 36-year-old Terrence Darrell Kelly pleaded guilty to holding the child captive for nearly three weeks, CNN reports. Appearing via a video link at Western Australia's Carnarvon Magistrates Court, Kelly pleaded guilty to the charge of "forcibly taking a child under 16".
Young Cleo went missing on October 16 after she was allegedly abducted from her family’s tent during a stay at a coastal campsite in Western Australia. The child's disappearance sparked a nationwide search and made headlines all over the world, per BBC News.
More on this development in the video below:Western Australia Deputy Police Commissioner Col Blanch had described the search for Cleo as looking for a "needle in a haystack".
Fortunately, she was found alive 18 days later on November 3.
Police found the missing child after raiding a house in the Australian town of Carnarvon. She was discovered in a locked room and playing with toys. Kelly was arrested on a nearby street and charged that same day.
Speaking about her discovery, Commissioner Chris Dawson said: "There were lots of things, that when we put the puzzle together it all led to one place, and that's where we found Cleo."
Kelly is currently being held in a maximum-security prison in the state capital of Perth. He faces two further charges, including assaulting a public officer - for which he is yet to enter a plea.
The case is set to be moved to the District Court of Western Australia, with a hearing scheduled to take place on March 25.
Per news.com.au, Cleo's parents described their family as being "whole again" upon her discovery last year.
In a statement, Cleo’s mother, Ellie Smith, and stepfather, Jake Gliddon, revealed how the family were "humbled by the love and support" they have received, from "not only our local community but the whole of Western Australia and across the country."
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the rescue of our daughter Cleo Smith," the added.
Police have stated that Kelly has no relationship or connection with Cleo's family.
