The naked three-year-old boy was missed about 1.10 pm, and police were called to his Pallett Street home about 30 minutes later.

Police on foot were joined by others on bikes and motorcycle patrols in searching the area.

‘‘Plus a number of concerned residents . . . were assisting,’’ Sergeant Tony Commadeur said.

‘‘We probably searched an area of 10 to 15 hectares of bushland and neighbouring properties.

‘‘We were concerned about the heat, dehydration (and) scratching injuries.

‘‘We needed to get as many people as possible out there.

‘‘There’s a fair bit of bushland on the other side of Specimen Hill Road.’’A State Emergency Service crew had just arrived on the scene when the boy was found asleep at home just after 4 pm.

The Victoria Police dog squad was on the way, and the Melbourne-based police search and rescue squad and air-wing had been told of the situation.

‘‘Before we organised a full-scale search, the home was searched again and he was found,’’ Sgt Commadeur said. The discovery of the toddler was a great relief to his mother, who was distraught, he said.

‘‘She was extremely distressed and concerned,’’ Sergeant Commadeur said.

Remarkably, the incident was the second of its type in Bendigo yesterday.

Sergeant Commadeur said another naked three-year-old boy went missing earlier in Long Gully.

The child was found in the nearby area unharmed.