The toddler of an Australian woman missing in Mexico has finally been returned to her family after she was found in a Cancun church barefoot and holding a torch while repeating the word “Mummy”.

Australian authorities are working with Mexican police to find 32-year-old Tahnee Shanks, originally from the Whitsundays, who was reported missing to Mackay police on Wednesday.

Shanks disappeared in the popular tourist city of Cancun and has not been heard from in days. Her former partner, Jorge Aguirre Estudillo, is also missing.

Overnight, Australian time, two-year-old Adelynn was returned to Shanks’ brother, Daniel, and mother Leanne in Mexico.

“Our immediate goal is to get Addy, her uncle and grandmother home safely as soon as possible,” the family said in a statement.

“With several hurdles and red tape, this may take some time.

“We remain deeply concerned for the safety and whereabouts of Adelynn’s mother, Tahnee.

“We would like to thank the kind and generous people from all over the world who have reached out to us and offered their support and assistance.”