Cleo Smith tells police woman brushed hair and dressed her after kidnapping

Cleo Smith told police there was a mystery woman who “helped her dress and brush her hair" while she was held captive, it is claimed.

Police raided the home of Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, in the early hours of last Wednesday where they discovered four-year-old Cleo alive and well two weeks after she went missing in Australia.

Initially police said that they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the kidnapping of the youngster from the Blowholes campsite which was about 50 miles from Kelly’s Carnarvon home.

But it appears interviews with Cleo by detectives have led to them looking into the possibility of a female involved and they are appealing to the public for information.

Police are looking to see if there was a woman who visited the home where Cleo was being held, claim Daily Mail sources.

Cleo was found last Wednesday safe and sound after 18 days of captivity Cleo was found last Wednesday safe and sound after 18 days of captivity Terence Darrell Kelly has been moved from Carnarvon to a maximum security prison in Perth Terence Darrell Kelly has been moved from Carnarvon to a maximum security prison in Perth ( Getty Images)

It is alleged that Cleo told detectives that a woman helped to dress her and brush her hair.

Kelly was moved from Carnarvon to a maximum security prison in Perth where he is due to appear again in court in the coming weeks.

But now attention has returned to Carnarvon to investigate an accomplice with forensic tests taking part at Kelly’s home, it is reported.

Detective senior sergeant Cameron Blaine, has so far refused to shed more light on the possibility but said police have "more work to do".

He said: “Our focus this week is for us to ascertain whether there was anyone else involved. That's why we are still here.

Boxes and bags have been removed from Kelly's home including some containing Bratz dolls, it is claimed Boxes and bags have been removed from Kelly's home including some containing Bratz dolls, it is claimed

“So, we just ask that if there was anyone that had any contact with Mr Kelly, whether you saw him, whether you met with him, whether you spoke to him on the phone during the relevant period to please make yourself known to police.”

Police on Monday spent their sixth day at the home where Cleo was found, combing through evidence, reports Mail Online.

Boxes and bags have been removed from Kelly’s home including “Bratz” dolls - with it claimed that the house had a room packed full of the toys.

Specialist officers have been interviewing Cleo about what happened during the 18 days of captivity and it could take several weeks.

It is reported that Western Australian Police Force’s child abuse squad are limiting her to 20 minute sessions to ensure that she remains as relaxed as possible.

The process involves using non-threatening questions such as what she liked and didn’t about her experience and in the format of a conversation.

Criminologist and psychologist Dr Michelle Noon recently told The West Live daily talk show the value of testimony from child witnesses should not be underestimated.

"Kids are great truth-tellers, so children are often fantastic witnesses because they are very, very committed to the truth and they are very committed to facts," Dr Noon said.

He said that it is important to build up a rapport with the child first.

"We may even sit, if they feel comfortable, side-by-side with them while they are drawing something and we’re going to have a general conversation with them," he explained.

Police had warned Cleo's parents to wait until the specialist child abuse detectives have interviewed their daughter before talking about what happened with her.

Read More Cleo Smith: Bratz dolls and crayons taken 'as evidence' from house where child was held undefined Read More Cleo Smith detectives investigate if another person was involved in kidnapping undefined

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