Madeleine McCann’s parents say discovery of Cleo Smith ‘gives them hope’

Madeleine McCann’s parents have said the case of Cleo Smith, a four-year-old Australian girl who was found more than two weeks after disappearing, gives them “hope” they will find their daughter

Madeleine McCann’s parents have said the finding of a four-year-old Australian girl has given them “hope” their child will be found alive.

Cleo Smith was found on Monday “alive and well” after vanishing from a campsite in Western Australia more than a fortnight ago.

She was branded “Australia’s Madeleine McCann” as her disappearance bore a striking resemblance to that of then three-year-old Madeleine, who went missing while on holiday in Portugal in 2007.

Kate and Gerry McCann are now reported to be “thankful” that little Cleo has been found unharmed after she went missing from her tent in Carnarvon on October 16.

A source close to the family told The Sun: “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.

“It’s the news every parent of a missing child hopes and prays for no matter how long it has been.”

The family source 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.”

Cleo’s disappearance had sparked a frantic search, which came to an end when officers broke into a locked home and found Cleo in one of the rooms.

Police broke into the house in Carnarvon, a town about 100 km (62 miles) south of the campsite, at about 1pm Australian time on Wednesday.

A 36-year-old man has been taken into custody in relation to the disappearance.

Police said the abduction appears to have been opportunistic and they expect to file charges later in the day.

Her relieved mum Ellie Smith took to Instagram to say : “Our family is whole again.”

Announcing the discovery earlier deputy commissioner Col Blanch said: “It’s my privilege to announce that in the early hours of this morning, the Western Australia police force rescued Cleo Smith. Cleo is alive and well.”

The deputy commissioner added: “This is the outcome we all hoped and prayed for.”

He said that “incredible police work” had led to Cleo’s rescue and that the force would have “more to say” in the coming days.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also welcomed the “wonderful, relieving news”.

“Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered,” Morrison said on Twitter.

Madeleine McCann has been missing since May 2007.

She disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal as her parents Kate and Gerry were eating in a near-by restaurant.

An international appeal for help finding Maddie has brought numerous reported sightings, none of them confirmed.