Cleo Smith

Australian man wrongly identified as abduction suspect sues TV station

In a missing child case that gripped the nation, Cleo Smith, 4, was rescued from a stranger's home on 3 November.

Police had charged Terence Kelly with her abduction.

But hours after his arrest, Seven wrongly published photos of Terrance Flowers, another Aboriginal man.

His lawyers said Seven had significantly injured his character and reputation by misrepresenting him as the main suspect.

Carnarvon man Terence Darrell Kelly charged with abducting Cleo Smith

Terence Darrell Kelly did not apply for bail and was not required to enter a plea when he faced Carnarvon Magistrate's Court this afternoon.

The 36-year-old took a while to acknowledge his name and expressed anger with the media presence as he was flanked by two police officers.

He nodded to indicate he understood the charges, which included one count of forcibly taking a child under 16, commonly referred to as child stealing.

Kelly was barefoot, wore a black shirt and his curly hair out.