Kidnapper of Cleo Smith, Australian girl held for 18 days, pleads guilty

The kidnapper of a four-year-old girl, who was held for 18 days until she was released by the Australian authorities in early November, pleaded guilty on Monday to the charges against her in court.

Terence Kelly, 36 years old and confined in a maximum security prison in the city of Perth, admitted the kidnapping of the minor Cleo Smith during an appearance by video conference before the Magistrates’ Court in the town of Carnavon, in northwestern Australia, reports the Australian public network ABC.

The girl, who did not suffer physical damage during her kidnapping, was rescued by the Police on November 3 after being found in the house of the accused, who kidnapped her on October 16 when the minor was in a tent during a trip with his mother and stepfather.

After a major search and rescue operation by the authorities, the Police arrested the accused on a street in the town of Carnarvon, three kilometers from Cleo’s family home and 75 kilometers from the city, the same night the minor was released. where the kidnapping happened.

The family of Cleo, which is not linked to the alleged kidnapper, has only issued a statement thanking the community for the support and asking for respect for their privacy since the rescue of the girl.

Kelly, who is also accused of assaulting a public official, must appear before the Australian justice on March 25 to know the date of his sentence.

_________________________________