Miracle as six-year-old boy who went missing near playground east of Melbourne is found

A missing six-year-old boy with autism has been found following a major search after he went missing from a playground in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges on Friday afternoon.

Parsa, who has autism and is non-verbal, was playing at Olinda Playspace, on Olinda-Monbulk Rd, when he went missing when he wandered off into bushland during his family’s Easter celebrations.

Asher Shinkfield, 18, decided to ride mountain bike ride when he found Parsa sitting in the middle of a trail about 8.15am.

“I came up the hill and I see Parsa just there … I call up the police quick and just sitting with him hoping he’s all right,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Thank God we were able to find him, that’s just miraculous.

“(This) feels great, it’s heartwarming … I don’t really get to do this kind of thing very often, so just right place to the right time.”

The boy was said to be looking “sleep deprived” but was looked over by paramedics, who gave him the all clear.

He was then reunited with his family.

Knox Acting Senior Sergeant Mel Gostimir said police were ecstatic Parsa was located safe and well.

“Searches for lost children with autism can be particularly challenging as often they are unable to communicate with searchers,” she said.

“After speaking with Parsa’s family, our members found out that his favourite song was Hickory Dickory Dock and a song about learning the alphabet so they began playing that on their phones and through the PA systems on their police cars.

“We are so grateful for the support from the local volunteer services and community members who attended to assist in the search.

“To return Parsa safely to his family for Easter is a wonderful result.”

Olinda, a town in the Dandenong Ranges and known for its dense forest, is about 41km east of Melbourne’s CBD.

The young boy had last been seen by family members Friday, about 4pm. Friends and relatives searched for the boy before reporting him missing about 30 minutes later.

He was wearing denim shorts and a blue and white t-shirt and is described as being Persian in appearance.

Local police with assistance from the Air Wing and State Emergency Services (SES) personnel searched the area.

Search and Rescue police and the Dog Squad also joined the large-scale search.