This is the heartwarming moment a missing four-year-old boy was rescued after spending 22 hours lost in the woods in Fresno County, California.

The youngster, named Christian, went missing on Thursday morning June 27 from a campground near Huntington Lake. It sparked an intensive search effort involving ground teams, aerial surveillance, canine units, and road patrols.

He spent a harrowing night in the wilderness before he was finally found the next day a quarter mile away from where he vanished.

Lieutenant Brandon Pursell of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office described finding Christian in a wooded area where he had hunkered down for the night, wearing only a T-shirt and shorts.

They said that despite his ordeal, Christian was in good health but hungry and tired. He was reunited with his relieved parents.

Authorities believe the boy wandered off while his parents were at the campground. They said the search spanned through the night, involving 60 to 70 searchers navigating forested terrain notorious for its dangerous wildlife - which includes bears and snakes.

Lieutenant Pursell urged families to remain vigilant, especially during the summer camping season.