Charges have been brought against the alleged kidnapper of little Cleo Smith in Australia.
The 36-year-old is accused of having brought a child under the age of 16 into his power, which is commonly referred to as "child theft", reported the Australian broadcaster ABC on Thursday, citing the judiciary.
The man hardly showed any emotion when the indictment was brought.
When asked whether he understood the allegations, he merely nodded.
The suspect did not apply for release on bail.
According to numerous media reports, he is said to have an obsession with dolls and to have collected many copies in his house. A video of the man was circulating on social networks, on which he is said to have filmed himself in a room full of dolls. Cleo himself is said to have been busy with toys when officials freed her from a locked house in the town of Carnarvon in western Australia on Wednesday night. According to the police, the four-year-old is physically unharmed. Neighbors described the suspect to the "WAtoday" portal as a loner. Lately, however, he has behaved suspiciously.
The girl disappeared from the family tent on October 16 from a campsite 75 kilometers north of her hometown Carnarvon.
When the parents woke up in the morning, both their daughter and her sleeping bag were no longer there.
The investigators quickly assumed a kidnapping.
On Wednesday the redeeming news: Police discovered Cleo safe and sound in a house in Carnarvon.