Police will investigate if cannibalism was involved in the alleged murder of a young boy.

Police discovered the body of a four-year-old boy at a home in Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast, about 4.40pm on Saturday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Central Coast murder investigation examines cannibalism claims

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

The welfare check was prompted by the boy’s 32-year-old mother, who had allegedly driven to Wyong Police Station and made statements that raised concerns.

Police allege the boy was killed days before his body was found, having suffered injuries described as too gruesome to report.

“The scene can only be described as confronting for all police and emergency service workers that were there,” Superintendent Chad Gillies of Tuggerah Lakes Police said.

Based on the evidence before them, police are now probing whether cannibalism was involved.

The Department of Communities and Justice have confirmed ‘previous contact’ with a family at the centre of an alleged child murder. Credit: 7NEWS

The Department of Communities and Justice said in a statement it is “aware of the tragic death of a four-year-old boy in Wyong and extends its deepest sympathies to the child’s family, loved ones and community.’

The department confirmed it had “previous contact with the family and is currently examining all relevant records and information relating to this matter”.

“Given the matter remains the subject of an active NSW Police investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”

Neighbours devastated by death of ‘happiest’ kid

Neighbour Harley Chislett, who used to babysit the child, was shaken by the four-year-old’s death.

He found one of the child’s toy cars on Sunday morning and plans to keep it as a lasting memory, saying the little boy was “the happiest kid I’ve seen around at that age”.

A 32-year-old woman has been charged with murdering her four-year-old son after he was found dead at a Wyong unit. Credit: 7NEWS

The boy’s mother, who can not be named for legal reasons, did not apply for bail when she faced court on Sunday and will return in September.

Police said they are determined to establish how and why the boy died.

“We owe that to that little boy to make sure that we get the exact circumstances and present them to the court in due course,” Gillies said.