Missing Australian toddler found alive after three days

An Australian toddler who went missing from his family's New South Wales property three days ago has been found alive.

Police conducted a massive search for Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak amid fears from his family he may have been kidnapped. 

AJ, who has autism and is non-verbal, disappeared from his home on Yengo Drive in Putty around 11:30am on Friday. 

NSW police confirmed AJ was found on Monday morning.

"About 11:30am today (Monday 6 September 2021), the boy was located on a nearby riverbank by PolAir, who directed ground search crews to his location," a spokesperson said.

"He has been reunited with his family and is being assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics."

AJ's father Anthony told 7News he felt "amazing" after his son was found.

"It's a miracle. He's alive. It's amazing.

"I've been in the bush for four days, I haven't slept."

Hundreds of emergency service volunteers had helped with the search for AJ along with police officers, police rescue, the dog and mounted unit, police divers and PolAir.

AJ's parents Anthony and Kelly Elfalak initially had concerns their son was kidnapped, telling 9News a suspicious car was seen near their home. 

Kelly said an older model Toyota Hilux was spotted on a private road near their property at the same time her son went missing. 

"I think he's been taken. He's been taken. If he was around here I would have found him by now," she told 9News at the time. 

On Sunday police seized a white ute and items found at an abandoned house in NSW Hunter Valley. 

The ute was taken from Bulga which is around 78 kilometres away from where AJ was last seen, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.