A leading homicide investigator who led the team that located Cleo Smith has been placed on administrative leave awaiting an inquiry by the anti-corruption watchdog.
Cameron Blaine, who has been engaged in some of the largest Australian cases in recent years, was one of four police on the scene when Cleo, age four, was rescued.
In November of last year, a video of him speaking to Cleo after she was discovered in a home in Carnarvon went viral.
“Cleo, my name is Cameron; are you all right?” He questioned her via video. “We’re going to take you to see your mother and father, okay?”
He also oversaw the investigation into the 2013 murder of Aaron Pajich-Sweetman by serial killer want tobe Jemma Lilley and her accomplice Trudi Lenon, and he was the officer who arrested Toby Moran for the 2005 murder of his backpacker girlfriend Simone Strobel in New South Wales.
WA Police and the CCC issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon announcing an investigation into a senior detective, believed to be Sergeant Blaine, for wrongdoing.
Cameron Blaine (shown) was one of four cops present when Cleo, age four, was rescued.
Detective Sergeant Cameron Blaine informs Cleo, “We’re going to take you to meet your parents.” Since then, he has disclosed that authorities are attempting to determine if anyone else was involved.
“A senior detective has been placed on administrative leave as investigations into allegations of wrongdoing continue,” stated the statement.
Oversight of police conduct is a key aspect of the CCC’s function and a major source of the allegations it receives.
According to the statement, the inquiry is still ongoing and there will be no additional comment.
In November, Det Snr Sgt Blaine Blaine discussed the effort to save Cleo with Daily Mail Australia.
He stated that one of the most fantastic moments of his life was when he carried Cleo to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning after her rescue.
As they waited at the hospital entrance, Cleo noticed a poster of herself and shouted, “That’s me!” He swallowed back his tears.
Moments later, when the medical staff arrived at the door, they all wept upon seeing her.