Cleo Smith’s mother in surprise new career move

Cleo Smith’s mother Ellie has made a surprising career move following her second interview since her daughter was kidnapped in October 2021.

After years of running a candle-making business, Ms Smith has opened the doors of her new business Purely Tan Beauty Salons.

The spray tanning business is located in Lakelands, Mandurah, closer to where the family reportedly relocated after the horrifying abduction ordeal.

Ms Smith claims her tans “enhance natural beauty” without having to bake in the harsh sun.

The mother-of-two debuted her glamorous new look in a 60 Minutes sit-down interview last Sunday, where she discussed details surrounding Cleo’s abduction.

“(Cleo’s) nightmare nights are the worst nights, it’s just heartbreaking,” referring to Cleo’s ongoing nightmares since her kidnapping ordeal,” Ms Smith says.

“It is hard talking about (Terence Kelly) and what happened,” said Ms Smith, who, along with Mr Gliddon, was present in the WA District Court when Kelly was sentenced.

Four-year-old Cleo was visiting the Point Quobba Blowholes Campground with her mother, stepfather and baby sister for their first family camping trip before she was taken.

On the first night of the trip, Kelly, who had been using methamphetamine, unzipped the wall of Cleo’s tent between 2.40am and 4.40am intending to steal valuables.

He then made the frightening decision to make off with the little girl instead.

Her mother discovered that Cleo was gone at about 6am, when she immediately dialled triple-zero after a frantic but unfruitful search of the campsite.

As the days went on in the search for the little girl, WA Premier Mark McGowan announced a $1m reward for any information relating to her disappearance.

Cleo was found in Kelly’s house after an agonising 18-day search.