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Cleo Smith search: Police spend more than seven hours at little girl’s home on Tuesday

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
Police Forensics at Cleo Smith’s home on Tuesday night.
Camera IconPolice Forensics at Cleo Smith’s home on Tuesday night. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

Forensic officers spent more than seven hours inside the Smith family’s South Carnarvon home on Tuesday leaving with two evidence bags.

It remains unclear as to what was in the bags.

Cleo’s stepfather Jake Gliddon led forensic officers and detectives into the home yesterday afternoon, before leaving a short time later.

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Officers packed up their forensic van and left just before 10pm, after spending majority of the night at the suburban home after arriving at 2.30pm.

Police working at the Smith family home.
Camera IconPolice working at the Smith family home. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

While at the house, officers could be seen taking photos and using a flash light to search the back of the house.

Forensic officers in one room, which had a door leading to the backyard, used flashlights to scour around the walls and floors before exiting out to the yard.

It is understood to be the first time the inside of the home has been forensically examined for evidence, with investigators focusing on the outside of the home on Saturday, specifically the fence line and windows, believed to be scouring for evidence of a stalker.

Officers at the home on Tuesday night.
Camera IconOfficers at the home on Tuesday night. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

However, Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde said the search was standard practice as part of a thorough investigation and that there was “no evidence” of stalking.

Police also do not consider Cleo’s parents in any way involved in the four-year-old’s vanishing.

It was understood to be the first time Mr Gliddon had returned to the family home after Cleo’s tragic disappearance — believed to be an abduction.

In an interview with 7NEWS’ Flashpoint on Monday, the couple said they struggled with the thought of returning home without Cleo.

Ms Smith said the family had someone looking after their dog, who was “lost without her best friend as much as we are without our daughter”.

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