00:00 In this isolated corner of Western Australia's outback, 750km from where he died, Cleveland
00:09 Dodd is finally returning to country.
00:12 The 16-year-old died in October, a week after he was found unconscious at a juvenile unit
00:19 inside Perth's Maximum Security Casuarina Adult Prison.
00:26 Hundreds of mourners came from all over the state packing out the Mekithara Shire Hall,
00:31 but the ceremony almost didn't happen.
00:36 Cleveland's incarcerated father, Wayne Gentle, was initially refused permission to attend,
00:41 with the family adamant it couldn't go ahead without him.
00:46 After tense negotiations between advocates and authorities, the Department of Justice
00:50 backflipped at the 11th hour.
00:53 The decision by the Department of Corrective Services with their assessments was absolutely
00:56 woeful.
00:57 It is in fact culturally inappropriate.
01:01 He remained in cuffs as he approached the coffin, adorned in artwork designed by Cleveland.
01:08 A celebrant delivered tributes on behalf of the family.
01:14 To my son, I will miss you each passing day.
01:18 I promise to the heavens above that I will see you again someday.
01:23 Love you forever, from mum.
01:27 As the sun began to set, the family moved to Cleveland's final resting place.
01:31 We're going to put him to rest now.
01:34 What you witness is children supporting children, grief upon grief, and that is absolutely heart-breaking.
01:41 In dust, at dusk, Cleveland Dodds family said their final goodbye.
01:50 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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