Cleo Smith sightings
Police are continuing to call on the public to report sightings of missing four-year-old Cleo Smith after receiving more than 200 from around the country.
The officer leading the search, Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde of the Major Crime Division, said the possible sightings had been investigated but were found to be “unfruitful”.
“I want to thank the public for calling that information in and that’s been national as well, so there’s been some of those in other states,” Wilde said on Thursday afternoon.
“Other policing jurisdictions have helped us and been there, and followed those leads through for us.
“We’re very grateful for that.”
Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde is leading the search for Cleo. Image: 7NEWS
Wilde said current investigations into the little girl’s whereabouts had proved “challenging”, but police were “hopeful and confident” they could solve the case.
The search for Cleo has seen locals in Carnarvon, the wider community, interstate police, and international agencies such as the FBI assist in attempting to locate her, after she went missing from the Blowholes campsite on October 16.
More than 100 campers who were at the site around the time of her disappearance have been interviewed by police, who are asking anyone else who was in the vicinity around that time to come forward.
Though Wilde didn’t give any specifics regarding the investigation, he said it was “progressing” through a “system of elimination”.
He also reiterated that Cleo’s parents weren’t suspects, and that visits to the family home were routine parts of the investigation.
When asked about how Cleo’s parents were, he said they were “coping”.
“Understandably, they’re upset. It’s been a difficult time for them,” he said.
“Fortunately, they’re looked after by family and friends. Given the circumstances, they’re holding up.”
Wilde also said that ash samples taken from burnt-out campfires at the campground were for “forensic opportunity” purposes, and may prove useful at a later date.
He said the entire team was “very motivated” and “very grateful” for the assistance they have received in their investigation.
Image: @elliejaydee23 / Instagram