Desperate search for missing five-year-old Sydney boy ends in tragedy

A desperate search for a missing five-year-old boy has ended in tragedy, with the child found dead in south-west Sydney.

The child is believed to have drowned.

A major search had been launched after the child's family contacted police.

There was an appeal to the public for assistance amid fears for the boy's safety.

He had last been seen about 6.35pm on a street in Chipping Norton, wearing a black skeleton onesie and without shoes.

READ MORE: Driver runs down two New Zealand police officers, killing one

Members of the community joined the search alongside emergency services, as they scoured roads and nearby parklands which backed onto the Georges River.

A body was found in the water about 10.10pm.

While the body is yet to be identified, it's understood to be that of the boy, police said.

Police are not treating the matter as suspicious and will prepare a report for the coroner.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.