Terence Kelly sentenced to 13.5 years over Cleo Smith abduction

Wednesday, 5 April 2023 10:54

By Monique Welhan

The man who kidnapped Cleo Smith and held her captive for 18 days has been sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison.

Terence Darrell Kelly pleaded guilty last year to one count of forcibly taking a child under 16.

The 37-year-old appeared in the WA District Court on Wednesday where Chief Judge Julie Wager handed down the prison term.

Kelly took four-year-old Cleo from her family's tent while they slept at the Blowholes campsite near Carnarvon on October 16, 2021.

She was found alone in a room at Kelly's Carnarvon home 18 days later after a massive police investigation.

Her words "My name is Cleo" were captured on a police body cam after the detective asked for her name when they found her.

News of Cleo's rescue made headlines around the world.

Kelly will be eligible for parole after serving 11 years and 6 months behind bars.

BREAKING: Terence Kelly has been sentenced to 13 years 6 months over the 18-day kidnapping of 4yo Cleo Smith in Oct 2021. He’s eligible for parole after 11 years 6 months @9NewsPerth @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/gwKEDLVmC9
— Zarisha Bradley (@ZarishaBradley9) April 5, 2023

Judge Julie Wager has told the court in sentencing remarks - after the first days, Cleo pleaded to go home to her parents and began to cry. Terence Kelly played a radio loudly, to cover up any noise. During this time - Cleo heard radio news updates saying her name.
— Steph Baumgartel (@BaumgartelSteph) April 5, 2023

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