Cleo Smith: Police preparing for “worst case scenario” as search for missing 4-year-old continues

"She would never leave that tent alone"

The search for missing 4-year-old girl Cleo Smith continues in Western Australia. Police now fear they're looking at a "worst-case scenario" as the search passes its fifth day. The young girl has been missing since Saturday, October 16th. Investigators are treating the campsite as a potential crime scene. It has been closed and witnesses are being urged to come forward. She was last seen in her family's tent at 1.30 am when she asked her mother for some water. When her family woke up the next morning the zipper in the compartment of the tent she was in was undone. Her sleeping bag was also missing. It is believed there were a lot of people around the Blowholes campsite on the night young Cleo disappeared. Police in Western Australia fear the young girl could be anywhere. Inspector Jon Munday expressed his concerns. He said investigators are worried Cleo could be interstate by now. “We can’t rule out the fact that Cleo may be still in the area, we can’t rule out the fact she’s left the area and if she’s left the area that is probably is our worst-case scenario because that really paints a sinister picture with what’s happened,” he commented. “It is a race against time. We’re just trying to find answers," he stressed. Cleo's mother issued a desperate plea on Tuesday. She said all she wants is for her little girl to come home. Ellie Smith stressed that Cleo would never wander off without her. She’s lazy when it comes to walking. She would never leave that tent alone.” The heartbroken mum said someone has to know where her daughter is. “We sit and watch the sand dunes and think she’s going to run down it and back into our arms, but we’re still waiting.”