‘We always held hope’: Cleo’s mum opens up about the four-year-old’s disappearance

Cleo Smith’s mother has spoken about never losing hope during her daughter’s disappearance, saying they ‘never thought there was going to be a bad ending’.
After a two-week search, the four-year-old was found after she went missing from the Quobba Blowholes campsite in Western Australia’s north.
“I don’t think we ever felt like there was ever going to be a bad ending. We always held hope that we were going to get the best outcome that we could. And we did,” she said during an interview with Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast.
“We had the support of the police and the community, (and) the whole world. I felt empty for 18 days, and I had this warm feeling hearing Cleo’s voice on the other side of the phone.”
In speaking about why they decided to do the 60minutes interview, Ellie said they thought it was important to share what happened from their point of view.
“We just wanted to make sure that everyone heard our side of the story and knew that we are everyday people that have gone through such a traumatic experience,” she said.
Ellie told Gareth Parker that their daughter is ‘ready to explore the world‘ in the aftermath of her extraordinary abduction.
“If you’ve met Cleo, she’s so adventurous and so funny at the minute. She’s ready to explore the world, and how could you hold her back from doing that.”
Press PLAY below to hear the full interview
Ellie Smith and Jake Gliddon said Cleo was still coming to terms with being held captive by a stranger for 18 days in an interview with 60 Minutes. To see more, watch here.