Cleo Smith: Image of alleged kidnapper shows him bandaged in ambulance after toddler's rescue

The first image of the man who is suspected of kidnapping Australian toddler Cleo Smith shows him bandaged in an ambulance. 

Cleo vanished while on a family camping trip in the outback more than two weeks ago. The four-year-old was found in a locked house in the early hours of Wednesday, police said.

A 36-year-old man has been taken into custody by police. He is being questioned but no charges have been laid yet. 

Footage captured by 7News shows the man in the back of an ambulance under police guard. He appears to be injured with a large white bandage around his head. 

Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde said police aren't looking for anyone else in connection to the abduction. Wilde said the kidnapping appeared to be "opportunistic". 

Police said the man was not known to Cleo's family.

On Wednesday, Western Australia Police released footage showing the heartwarming moment Cleo was rescued after being missing for 18 days. 

In the 11-second video posted to Twitter, Cleo can be seen with a police officer carrying her outside, while Detective Senior Sergeant Cameron Blaine talks to her.

"Cleo, my name's Cameron, are you OK?" Detective Blaine gently asks the four-year-old. Cleo has her arms firmly around the officer and she nods her head. 

"We're going to take you to see your mummy and daddy, is that good?" he asks again.

Smiling as she plays with the hood on the officer's jacket, Cleo nods again.

Police officers broke into a house in Carnarvon, a town about 100km south of the campsite she vanished from and found her in one of the rooms.

"Our family is whole again," Cleo's mum Ellie Smith said in an Instagram post, just hours after her daughter was found.

 "What wonderful, relieving news," Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Twitter. "Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered."