Etan Patz MISSING

It’s been 31 years, almost to the day, since Etan Patz vanished from his New York City neighborhood.  Etan’s case put missing children on the map in the United States.  It’s because of his abduction that the public started taking notice when a child wandered away or was taken.

Etan was actually the first child to appear on the side of a milk carton, and his case brought to light new legislation and awareness for missing children.  This week Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is making good on his promise to re-open the case and to take a look at it with a fresh set of eyes, even though the former DA claimed there was not enough evidence to prosecute the case. 

I spoke with Erin Duggan, Communications Director from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, this morning and asked her if it would be difficult to close this case.  She said, “There are challenges, but it’s definitely been done before.”  She says that they can move forward with prosecution, even without a body.

 Although in 2001 Etan’s parents obtained a court order that deemed Etan dead, they aren’t giving up hope that justice will be served. I spoke to Etan’s father, Stanley Patz, this morning and he told me, “Nothing is going to bring my son back, but I am encouraged the D.A. opened the case.”  He says, “I want someone to be held accountable, and I feel I owe it to Etan.”

Jose Ramos is the prime suspect in this case, but has never been charged.  Former Federal Prosecutor Stuart Grabois says that he is, “90 percent sure that the young boy he took that day for sexual purposes back to his apartment was the same boy who he saw was missing and who was on television, and the only boy missing and on television that evening was Etan.”  Ramos is currently in prison in Pennsylvania for molesting two boys.  He is scheduled for release on November 11, 2010.

Even though it’s been 31 years, re-opening this case is a positive move for all families of missing and exploited children.  It proves that no matter how many days or decades pass, justice can still be served.

If you have any information about this case, please contact The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.