Emotions have spilled over as South Australian police made the difficult call to abandon the ground search for missing toddler Gus Lamont.

In news no one wanted to hear, the case is now being handed over to the major crime squad, who will now manage the ongoing investigation.

The nation has held its collective breath as hundreds of emergency services personnel, ADF soldiers and volunteers combed the outback after the four-year-old reportedly wandered away from his grandparents’ Yunta sheep farm over a week ago.

Extensive searches using drones and helicopters failed to find a trace of the child, other than a lone footprint, with police calling off the search on Sunday.

“From the time Gus was reported missing to police, missing person investigation section, which is part of major crime investigation branch, have provided support to Yorke Mid North Region,” a SAPOL spokesman confirmed.

“The investigation will now be managed by the missing persons investigation section. This is where all long-term cases such as this are managed and investigated, and is standard practice.”

Social media has been awash with posts lashing out over the decision to abandon the official search for the “quiet, adventurous” little boy.

The Adelaide Advertiser reported that some have compared the situation to the manhunt to capture alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman, and also the search for Cleo Smith, who was missing in Western Australia.

“This is the largest closest community, but it doesn’t matter if you’re here or you’re in Broome, most of us are parents and we all feel for them,” said Peterborough mayor Ruth Whittle about the Lamont family.

On Saturday, Leave A Light on Inc posted on Facebook calling for people to leave their front door porch lights on “so Gus can find his way home”.

“Please join us tonight in supporting Gus’s family and friends by leaving a light on to guide Gus home,” they said.

The post was flooded with comments from around the nation by people supporting the efforts to try and find Gus and bring him home safe and well.

“It makes me sick to think of it. I can’t even imagine the pain Gus would feel being lost and alone, and his family feeling sick with worry and fear and grief wanting to find him. I hate it when these things happen,” one post said.

“Sad to hear search being scaled back, I kept feeling we would hear good news that he is found still alive…..I feel I cant give up, prayers for Gus and the family,” another added.

Gus, who was wearing a blue Minions shirt, has been missing since September 27 after he was last seen playing just outside the property’s homestead around 5pm local time.

The search has been one of largest in South Australia’s history, with authorities covering over 47,000ha but despite their efforts, police on Friday afternoon announced the decision to pull resources from the remote family homestead and switch their efforts into an investigation.