Australian detectives are convinced a three-year-old boy who 'miraculously' survived in rugged bushland all alone for three days coped so well because his autism 'stopped him from panicking'.
Little Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak was found wearing a sweatshirt and diaper, sitting in a creek and cupping water in his hands less than 500m from his home north of Sydney on Monday.
As family and friends celebrated his incredible rescue in the New South Wales Hunter Valley this week, conspiracy theories circulated that the disappearance was staged.
Social media users wildly speculated that a child could not survive alone with food or water in the rugged Australian terrain, where overnight temperatures were as low as two degrees.
But police investigating the circumstances of the toddler's disappearance said AJ's injuries and condition when he was found were all consistent with him being in the bush the whole time.
Detectives working with bush survival experts to develop a full picture of AJ's disappearance have suggested his autism may have actually helped him maintain a calm state of mind.
'The reality is he didn't know he was lost… so he wasn't scared, he didn't panic,' an investigator said.
Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak was found wearing a sweatshirt and diaper, sitting in a creek and cupping water in his hands less than 500m from his home north of Sydney on Monday
Celebrations were underway from about 1pm on Monday - an hour after word spread that AJ had been found alive
A freshly slaughtered cow was put in a freezer until it was ready to be cooked for the party on Tuesday
This aerial image shows the distance between AJ's home and the area where he was found - complete with the dense bushland and dangerously steep terrain in between
'If he was tired, he slept... he had access to water, which is a big thing for survival in the bush.'
When AJ was rescued and loaded into a waiting ambulance, paramedics said he ravenously ate an entire pizza and 'guzzled' water - typical traits of someone who hadn't eaten for days.
'He was starving... it's all consistent with him being in the bush the entire time,' a paramedic said.
The Child Mind Institute says children with autism often have 'a weaker sense of danger' than others and enjoy exploration.
They're also more likely to 'wander off' or look to remove themselves from overwhelming sensory experiences.
Detectives confirmed an investigation was ongoing into the 72 hours AJ was missing
Children played on the property after AJ was found as their parents celebrated
AJ's siblings were gushing over their 'brave baby brother' when he was found alive, and played happily on Tuesday as their parents celebrated with loved ones
And with AJ back home and safely in the arms of his mother, his family hosted an epic party to celebrate.
The local store was cleared out of all booze in stock, a cow was freshly slaughtered and carved up for a BBQ and the music blared.
Grey Gums Cafe owner Kim Grace watched on as all the alcohol she had left in stock - about £375 worth - was packed into a vehicle and taken back to the Elfaleks' place.
In the back seat was a freshly slaughtered sheep, which was being taken back to AJ's godfather Alan Hashem, who is renowned for his 'famous' lamb.
Meanwhile back at the farm, two freshly-killed cows were already on the barbecue and AJ's elated dad had extended an invitation to the party to anybody back in locked-down Sydney who was prepared to make the journey.
At one stage, a bunch of children and their relatives crossed the road into an open paddock, where they played for hours
'See that hill back there,' he told media at his home. 'There's going to be a big party on that hill. Anybody who wants to come on down from Sydney is welcome.'
Celebrations were well underway on Tuesday afternoon at the Yengo Drive property in Putty - and the party lasted into the night.
A handful of guests returned to the corner store about 9.30pm that night, hoping to replenish their booze and food supply.
AJ and his mother returned home from Maitland Hospital later that night - telling the guests party time was over because the toddler needed to sleep.
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