UPDATED: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 --- 12:45 p.m.

A mother and father are breathing a sigh of relief after a scary two hours this afternoon.

3-year-old Eli Petzold was believed to be missing from an open playgroup session being held at Lutheran Church of the Living Christ earlier today.

Eli's father was at the church at was among those watching his son during that weekly playgroup.

Police from 3 departments launched a massive search in the area around 10:30 am calling in help from trained dogs and posting messages on two portable signs in the area alerting the public of Eli's description.

During a second search inside the church around 12:30 Eli was found sleeping under a pile of bean bags.

A friend of the family says they are relieved Eli was found in good shape but they're quite shaken up by the whole ordeal.

The friend says both Eli's mother and father want to thank the dozens of members of law enforcement who acted quickly to begin the search and the members of the public who dropped what they were doing to help search as well.

Police say this is the normal response in cases like this.

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UPDATED Tuesday, March 16, 2010 --- 12:45 p.m.

From NBC15's Chris Woodard: the missing child was found under a pile of beanbags inside the church after a second sweep of the building.

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UPDATED Tuesday, March 16, 2010 --- 12:30 p.m.

The missing child is identified as Eli Petzold: 3-years-old, white male with short blonde hair.

He is wearing a navy shirt (with orange sleeves) and tan pants.

He disappeared between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. from an open playgroup session at the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, at 110 N. Gammon.

Middleton police are walking down N. Gammon Rd. knocking on doors in the search for the boy.

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Posted Tuesday, March 16, 2010 --- 11:55 a.m.

Dane County Dispatch confirms a search is underway along 110 N. Gammon Road for missing 3-year-old child. The child did walk away from a daycare program.

Agencies involved in the search include Madison Police, Middleton Police, and Dane County Sheriff's Office.

According to scanner reports, canine units were possibly being called to the scene to aid in the search.

Stay with NBC15 and NBC15.com for continuing coverage.