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UPDATE: Search for AJ stretches into fourth day

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The search for a missing three-year-old boy in the Hunter is stretching into the fourth day.

Anthony “AJ” Elfalak, who has autism and is non-verbal, went missing from his family’s rural property at Putty, near Singleton, about 11.45am on Friday 3 September.

AJ’s family fear he may have been taken from the property, but NSW Police have refrained from speculating about what may have happened to the boy.

If he is lost on the property, he will have endured three nights alone as temperatures dropped to as low as six degrees, wearing a grey jumper, pants and sneakers.

Hunter Valley Police District Commander Superintendent Tracy Chapman said over the weekend more than 130 people were involved in the search of the property and volunteers are helping police on foot and on dirt bikes.

“Detectives assisted by specialist resources have formed (a) task force … to investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing three-year-old,” she explained.

NSW police have issued a geo-targeted message asking people in the area to look out for the child and divers also searched and drained a large dam on the property.

AJ is described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, with short, dark hair.

Anthony and Kelly Elfalak and their four sons moved to the property just months ago as Mr Elfalak’s work as a plumber had dried up amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Family friend Alan Hashem was present when the boy went missing and says he saw an old white van driving away from the location.

He says the family believes the boy has been abducted.

“Without a doubt. Without a doubt,” he told media on Monday.

“For the simple reason he is on the spectrum of autism but he is always quite afraid and attached to his mum hence why his mum couldn’t have him by her side when she’s cooking, he is with his brothers.

“He’s never wandered,” he said.

“Just bring him home. Look, just please, you don’t understand how much pain and anguish this family’s feeling.”

NSW Police have refrained from speculating about what may have happened to the boy but say they have seized a white ute at a property at Bulga as part of the investigation.

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