Missing 4-year-old girl found alive after two weeks of biggest police probe in West Australia

Amid all the bad news circulating in Australia there was a ray of sunshine early on the morning of Nov 3 when police in Western Australia raided a house and found tiny four-year-old Cleo Smith who had been missing for just over two weeks.

In a short video Cleo can be seen being carried out of the house by a police officer.

Another officer, Detective Senior Sergeant Cameron Blaine, walks behind. He asks, almost in a whisper: "Cleo, my name's Cameron, are you OK?"

With her arms firmly around the officer carrying her she nods her head.

"We're going to take you to see your mummy and daddy, is that good?" Cameron says, to which she nods.

Cleo was found alone and locked inside a house, about 900 km north of Perth and a short drive from the family home in Carnarvon.

Her disappearance on Oct 16 from the family's tent at Blowholes camping site, 75 kilometres north of Carnarvon, sparked the biggest police investigation in Western Australia’s history.

Police have detained a 36-year-old man but as yet no charges have been laid.

Cleo was reunited with her parents a short time later.

Cleo's mum Ellie Smith shared a short message on Instagram writing: "Our family is whole again."

"This is the outcome we all hoped and prayed for," police said. "It's the outcome we've achieved because of some incredible police work."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised the officers involved, following the "wonderful, relieving" news of her discovery.

The focus of the investigation changed into an abduction probe when police revealed the tent had been unzipped to a height the four-year-old could not have reached.

But the community never gave up hope of finding Cleo, with businesses printing brochures and bumper stickers to help in the search for the little girl.

Locals held vigils to pray for her safe return and there were more than 300 potential sightings reported to police, according to an ABC report.

Police said new information received late on Nov 2 led them to the locked house, where Cleo was found alone in a bedroom.

West Australia’s Deputy Police Commissioner Col Blanch speaking on the ABC’s 7.30 program Nov 3 said the Smiths are "elated" to have Cleo back in their arms.

"What an amazing day for them. Eighteen days of absolute hell, heartbreak," he said.