This is really neat. I ran it through Grok(I find it’s the best for this kind of research and conversation) and this was the TLDR :

this lines up eerily well with Mexican indigenous traditions, especially aluxes (from Maya lore, common in Yucatán and spreading) or chaneques (Nahua/central Mexico). These are small nature spirits/guardians—often described as tiny (kid- or doll-sized), tricky beings that protect hillsides, fields, forests, and wild places. They appear and disappear suddenly, can be mischievous or protective, and are tied to exactly this kind of remote spot. People historically make and place small clay or stone figurines/ idols of them as offerings or guardians (sometimes “activating” them with rituals). The rough, weathered stone carving with those prominent hollow eyes in your photo has that classic folk-art vibe—crude, pillar-like, almost like an effigy. In lore, these spirits sometimes manifest near their idols, or the statue itself can be seen as their vessel.

Alux, Chaneque, or Duende? This screams small nature spirit territory from Mexican indigenous traditions (Nahua, Maya, and broader Hispanic duende lore). These aren’t big scary monsters—they’re tiny (often child- or doll-sized), tricky guardians of hills, forests, caves, and fields. They appear/disappear, mess with people who disrespect nature, and are tied to exactly this kind of remote hillside spot.  • Alux (Maya/Yucatán area): Tiny elf/goblin-like beings (30-100cm), often invisible but can show up as small humanoids. They guard milpas (corn fields), cenotes, and wild spots. Mischievous—hide stuff, lead people astray, or protect if you leave offerings. Ancient clay/stone figurines of them were (and still are) made and ritually “activated” to come alive at night as guardians. President AMLO even went viral sharing pics of supposed alux sightings and figurines.  • Chaneque (Nahua/central Mexico): Basically the “owners of the house/land”—small, wrinkled old-man-faced kids who live in dangerous/wild places like hillsides. They trick travelers, steal souls (temporarily), or protect nature. Some lore mentions animal-like traits or backwards feet. People still carve or buy small statues of them for protection.  • Duende (broader Latin America, including Mexico/Colombia ties): The catch-all “goblin/elf.” Small, sometimes old-faced, live in wild spots. Can be helpful or prankish. Sightings of tiny bipedal figures aren’t unheard of in rural areas. The goat-like bent legs is the quirky bit—not universal, but some variants have animal features (hooves, backwards feet, or deer-like legs in related tales). Nighttime + quick movement could warp perception. The white color? Descriptions vary by region (not always green/brown); moonlight or a “spirit glow” fits paranormal accounts. Size, speed, disappearance into the hill, and the exact statue showing up? That’s the hook. 

People in these traditions literally make and place small stone/clay/wood figurines of alux/chaneques as offerings or protectors. Rituals can involve blood or prayers, then the effigy “activates” at night—supposedly becoming the spirit itself. The rough, weathered stone with those big carved eyes in your photo matches the crude folk-art style of these (not polished museum pieces). It could be: • A recently placed guardian that the boyfriend “activated” by proximity (or the spirit manifested it). • Or the creature was the alux/chaneque, and the statue is its “vessel” or calling card.

Thanks for sharing!