Missing boy AJ Elfalak arrives back at his Putty home: Photos

AJ Elfalak has finally arrived back home with photos showing him holding tightly onto mum after he spent four days missing in dense NSW bushland.

Still holding tight onto his mother Kelly, young AJ Elfalak is now back at his family’s Putty home almost 24 hours after he was miraculously found.

With scratches on his face showing the toll of four days alone in the bush,

Three-year-old AJ was released from Maitland Hospital on Monday night, with his mum saying she was just relieved to have him home.

Three-year-old Anthony AJ Elfalak at the family homestead with mum Kelly on Tuesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

AJ had some scratches on his face after spending four days alone in the bush. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

AJ with an SES volunteer after his rescue on Monday.

“He’s with us, he’s here, he’s safe and well and healthy, that’s all that matters,” Mrs Elfalak said.

“I heard (about the public response), I haven’t seen anything and everyone’s telling me, I just want to thank everyone - the media, the police, the RFS, the SES, everyone that prayed for us.”

AJ, who had been missing since Friday, was spotted by a police helicopter late on Monday morning, with video taken from on-board the chopper showing the moment the youngster was spotted in the bush.

Little AJ was first spotted by PolAir in a creek on the family property on Monday.

AJ’s mother Kelly Elfalak tries to get to her son in the creek bed after he was spotted by PolAir. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

AJ’s father Anthony Elfalak and three of his sons after seeing AJ in the ambulance on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

SES workers from Port Stephens then trekked into the bush to get him and he was reunited with his family soon after.

After 72 hours of frantic searching alongside SES, police and other volunteers, the extended Elfalak family spent last night celebrating around an open fire.

The family will host a large final barbecue on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

This morning they began carving up a cow ahead of a large final barbecue planned for Tuesday afternoon.

Much like AJ’s parents Kelly and Anthony, many of the relatives and friends still at the home remain in shock that what seemed destined for a tragedy has ended in a miracle.

In the wake of The Daily Telegraph’s story about a key new suspect in the case of the state’s most famous missing boy William Tyrrell, Mrs Elfalak said she hopes another miracle can occur.

“Stay strong and I hope they find him,” she said.

Originally published as Missing boy AJ Elfalak arrives back at his Putty home: Photos