Missing boy's body found in mineshaft

The search for missing Perth toddler Imran Zilic has ended with the discovery of a child's body in a seven-metre deep mine shaft in South Australia.

Police said a young child's body was found by Coober Pedy police in the one-metre wide shaft about 47 kilometres south of the opal mining town.

The discovery followed information obtained by major crime squad detectives in Adelaide.

While the body was still to be formally identified, Detective Inspector Doug Barr said it was believed to be that of the missing three-year-old, who was taken from his Perth home on April 20 by his father Aliya Zilic.

"All indications are that the body is that of Imran's, however formal identification is a matter for the coroner," Insp Barr said.

A police forensic team and a pathologist were on the scene in South Australia's mid-north, and hoped to take the body to Adelaide either late on Friday night or early on Saturday for a post mortem examination.

Insp Barr said it was difficult to determine the nature of the child's injuries.

He also declined to comment on precisely what information led police to the shaft, or whether Mr Zilic had co-operated in the discovery.

Mr Zilic has been held under the mental health act in Perth since being arrested in Kununurra, in far north Western Australia, last week.

It was believed he had left his son in Coober Pedy, sparking fears for the child's safety and prompting pleas from the boy's mother for his return.

Mirsda Halilovic (Mirsda Halilovic) said that when her estranged husband took the boy from his Perth home, he told her it would only be for two days.

But she last heard from her son on April 21 when he called using a mobile phone.

"He was saying 'Mummy I want home' (sic) and he kept crying," she said.

Insp Barr said police were taking steps to issue a warrant in relation to a suspect in the case and expected that to be executed in due course.

He said South Australian police also expected to make an application to extradite that person from interstate.

"This is a very sad and tragic case," Insp Barr said.

"It's very rare for a child to be killed in South Australia and it's touched the hearts of all those having to investigate it.

"It's very, very sad that it's come to this conclusion.

"We did hope to find Imran safe and well, however that's not to be."