On May 25, 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz left the New York City home he shared with his parents Stanley and Julie Patz, and headed towards his school bus stop. It was the first time he would make the short journey alone. It would also be the last time the Patz’ would see their son. Fast-forward 33 years and on May 25, 2012, Etan Patz’ alleged abductor would be arraigned for kidnapping and second-degree murder.
New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly announced to media how 51-year-old Pedro Hernandez confessed to the crime.
“Hernandez described to the detectives how he lured young Etan from the school bus stop at West Broadway and Prince Street with the promise of a soda. He then led him into the basement of the bodega, choked him there and disposed of the body by putting it into a plastic bag and placing it into the trash.”
Pedro Hernandez worked at the bodega as a clerk. According to the latest update, Hernandez is now on suicide watch at Bellevue Hospital.
Investigators previously reopened the case and spent time in the past weeks zeroing in on a Manhattan apartment building, drilling cement, searching behind walls, and looking for evidence. Many believed a break was forthcoming in the decades-old case that helped change the face of missing children across America. Etan Patz was the first child featured on a milk carton and his abduction, very much like that of Adam Walsh’s, helped ignite discussion, and shape strategies used in missing and abducted children cases nationwide.
The arraignment took place at the Bellevue Hospital via video feed. Harvey Fishbein, a court appointed attorney, represents Hernandez, whom he describes as suffering from schizophrenia with bouts of visual and auditory hallucinations. It is unclear whether authorities have physical evidence linking Hernandez to the crime and have yet to release the knowledge of such evidence to the public, but it appears the case will be built upon Hernandez’ confession alone.
Pedro Hernandez lived in Maple Shade, New Jersey at the time of his confession and arraignment. Etan Patz’ parents never moved from their Manhattan SoHo home or changed their phone number, in hope that one day, Etan would return.
You may read the criminal complaint filed against Pedro Hernandez below.
Criminal Complaint Against Pedro Hernandez in Etan Patz Case
Monday, May 28, 2012
Missing Children Cases in the news Week of May 28, 2012
The following is a listing of missing children's posters as released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These cases are more high profile. Please share this document as it contains the full information contained within each poster.
Missing Children in the News May 28
Missing Children in the News May 28
Missing Children Cases May 28, 2012
The following document contains missing children cases for the week of May 28, 2012. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the children missing in the U.S. and there are variations as each state determines which cases are updated or added to the NCMEC list. Some cases are updated with age progression photos, while other cases are new.
Missing Children for the Week of May 28
Missing Children for the Week of May 28
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