Toddler found by journalist sent to cover story when he heard boy sobbing

A MISSING child in Italy has been found after a local journalist discovered him while on reporting duties.

The 21-month-old toddler, identified as Nicola Tanturli, was last seen in his bedroom on Monday night and was reported missing by his parents the next day.

It is believed the toddler woke up in the middle of the night and walked out of his isolated home located just outside the Palazzuolo sul Senio region of Florence, Italy.

After raising the alarm, up to 1000 emergency personnel, volunteers and police began scouring the wooded areas as media began and around the clock coverage, according to the town’s mayor.

The boy was discovered when Journalist Giuseppe Di Tommaso on his way home from work on Wednesday where he had been reporting on the disappearance.

According to local media, he had pulled over in his car because he felt ill and “needed to recover” when he heard a sound coming from the woods.

Tommaso immediately thought it could be Nicola and called out the boy's name and heard the reply “mamma.”

As the small boy’s head emerged with a bump on his head and some scratches, the journalist immediately broke down in tears.

Tommaso told Itay24News:" “It was an immense emotion because I really didn’t imagine it.

“When they tell each other the stories of children after so many hours, in such thick woods, after a whole night there is always the idea that it will not be a story with a positive ending.”

He concluded: “It was a true miracle."

The journalist quickly alerted Carabinieri authorities nearby where a lieutenant found Nicola at the bottom of a 50-metre ravine.

"I heard clearer cries and I expected an animal to come out," Danilo Ciccarelli said, according to the BBC.

"Instead, the child appeared, calling for his mother".

The boy was rescued and taken to his mother who was pictured clutching her son in an emotional reunion.

It sparked jubilant celebrations across the region as church bells rang out in celebration in nearby town of Palazzuolo sul Senio.

“It was a tremendous joy to bring him back to his mother’s arms,’’ Ciccarelli added.

The child was airlifted to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Despite being missing for over 24 hours, he is said to be in good health.

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