A mother whose autistic toddler went missing believes he was kept safe by the Virgin Mary

Anthony "AJ" Elfalak, who is non-verbal, went missing from his family's remote rural property in Putty, New South Wales, Australia, about 11.45am on September 3, 2021.

He was reunited with his relieved parents three days later after being spotted drinking water from a creek by a rescue helicopter during a frantic search of the rugged bushland around his home.

AJ’s mum opened up about the harrowing event on social media this week, saying she believes her son was being watched over by the Virgin Mary.

“We’re a religious family ... I always say that the Virgin Mary and all the saints and the angels are with my kids every day,” Kelly Elfalak said in an online video, News Corp reports.

“The Virgin Mary is always with us and I knew she was always with AJ.

Ms Elfalak went on to say that she had prayed and taken holy communion the morning her son was found, believing she was “going to see him soon”.

“I was in shock. It was such a relief. I can’t describe it. I just couldn’t believe that they found my baby,” she said of the moment she learned AJ was found safe.

She said that although AJ was “very distraught” when he was located, he’s now “doing really well”.

Brianne Tolj. September 16, 2021

Adapted from: au.news