Missing four-year-old Shayla Phillips called out for her mum, leading searchers to find her in Tasmanian bush

Shayla Phillips’ mother has spoken out for the first time since the four-year-old was found in Tasmanian bushland after going missing for a harrowing 48 hours.

A four-year-old girl who went missing in the Tasmanian bush for 48 hours was rescued when searchers heard her call out for her mother, authorities have revealed.

More than 100 personnel from Tasmania Police, the drone unit, State Emergency Service, Westpac rescue helicopter, specialist dogs, rescue crews from interstate and community members joined in the search for four-year-old Shayla Phillips.

The little girl with long brown curly hair was last seen about 2.30pm on Wednesday in the backyard of a neighbour’s Stormlea Rd property in Stormlea while playing with their two dogs.

Her mother Bianca Page went to check on her daughter and when she couldn’t find the girl, a frantic search ensued.

Tasmania police held concerns for her welfare as they entered the third day of the search, but she was located in a densely wooded and hilly area near Halls Rd by an SES ground search party just before 4pm on Friday.

Shayla Phillips mother Bianca Page has broken her silence, thanking all the people who helped find her missing four-year-old. Picture: Facebook

Ranger in charge at Parks and Wildlife Ian Marmion said while trawling through the bush on Friday, searchers would stop every 15 minutes and had a female officer call out her name.

Eventually, they heard a girl’s voice respond with “mummy”.

“On this particular occasion, we heard this callback ‘mummy’ and we just couldn’t believe it,” Mr Marmion told reporters on Saturday.

Mr Marmion said he was instantly “elated and joyful”.

SES volunteer Ben Arthur said Shayla responded to the call after “half a second”.

“I’ve never been happy to be confused with someone’s mummy before,” Mr Arthur said.

“Within another couple of seconds she emerged from the undergrowth and started approaching us.”

The mother of two shared a cute photo of Shayla sleeping after she returned home. Picture: Facebook

Ms Page said her ‘precious baby girl’ with a few bruises, scratches, bites and an urine infection following the ordeal. Picture: Facebook

Acting southern regional SES manager Mark Dance said everyone paused for a moment when they heard the news on the radio.

“It overwhelmed us all because it was the news we were hoping for,” he said on Saturday.

“When it came across the radio, we were just all astounded.”

Authorities were prepared to ramp up their search efforts, with multiple meetings throughout Friday and plans for the search to continue into the weekend, but Mr Dance said he was confident Shayla was going to be found.

“We were going to really open it up to some bushwalking groups, put the call out to more SES volunteers ... some fixed wing aeroplane with air observes, our ATV motorbikes, some more horse parties,” Mr Dance explained.

“For the SES to stand alongside Tas Police and walk shoulder to shoulder through the bush, and come up with such a positive result is a great booster for us all.”

An SES ground search party found Shayla in a densely wooded and hilly area near Halls Rd just before 4pm Friday. Picture: Kenji Sato

Shayla was found about 4pm on Friday and taken to hospital for medical assessment.

Authorities said she was “talkative and healthy” but was “quite dirty” when she was found.

She has since been eating “a lot of food”.

He said there has been lots of celebrating since the young girl was discovered.

Shayla’s mother broke her silence over the horrifying 48 hours in a Facebook update on Friday night.

Ms Page thanked the officials and volunteers who worked to find her missing four-year-old.

“I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart with everything I have that I am currently sitting here with my precious baby girl with a few bruises, scratches, bites and an urine infection after spending over 48 hours alone in the bush,” Ms Page posted.

“The messages I received from everybody, your thoughts and prayers were all so overwhelming, I seriously honestly cannot thank you enough.”

Authorities worked to find the little girl at all hours of the day and night. Picture: Kenji Sato

Along with the post was a photo of Shayla sleeping next to her mother.

Dozens of family and friends commented on the post, wishing well for Shayla and the mother of two.

“This is by far the best post I have ever seen, your baby girl is such a warrior,” one person said.

“By far the best post, so glad you have her back safely in your arms hun, you’re one strong, brave, amazing mum,” another read.

“One tough little cookie just like her mumma! Best news ever,” a third posted.

“So happy you have ya baby girl back it was so stressful for a lot of people,” a fourth commented.