Etan PatzIt was almost 33 years ago that a 6-year-old boy, Etan Patz, headed out to his school bus stop in New York by himself for the first time. I imagine him filled with excitement and a sense of independence as he started his journey there by himself ... but he never made it. His mother didn't know he was missing until he didn't come home from school that day. She later found out he'd never been in class.
A huge search ensued, and his picture was put on milk cartons across the country to aid in finding him -- the first known time this tactic was used to find missing children. Jose Antonio Ramos -- a drifter and friend of Etan's babysitter -- was charged in Etan's death in 2001, but no body was ever found. No final closure was reached.
Then the case was reopened in 2010, and today there was a major development that could finally solve this case and bring his family some bit of peace.
According to CNN, a basement in Lower Manhattan is currently being torn apart in a search for clues. Officials say the move is based on new and old evidence, and there may be some connection to an as of yet unnamed carpenter Etan met the day before he disappeared. A dog has picked up the scent of human remains.
"We are cautiously optimistic that the search will be helpful," FBI Special Agent Tim Flannelly told CNN.
If they do find a body, it certainly won't be joyous news, but it hopefully will finally provide the closure for which Etan's family must long. I'm sure they've imagined thousands of different scenarios as to what happened to their son, and maybe they've even held onto a little bit of hope that he's still out there somewhere. Because without a body, there are just too many unknowns. As a parent, I can't imagine a worse fate.
I think of all the other families out there who have faced similarly terrifying and heartbreaking losses over the past 33 years. I ache for those that will inevitably follow in the next 33 years. There's little we can do to ease their misery, but bringing this monumental case to a close would at least offer some small hope that there is some justice in the world.
Do you remember the Etan Patz case when it happened back in 1979? Are you surprised to see this new turn in the case now?
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Comments 5
Prayers for the family and Etan!
I wasn't even born yet, but whenever I heard this story I also held onto hope that he was alive somewhere. I can't imagine what his family is going through!
A body would be tragic, but it could really help the family close that chapter and accept the outcome.
I know if one of my kids went missing I'd always always always dream of them calling, writing, or walking in the door again! Every unknown number, every unexpected visitor, would give me a brief moment of hope, then inevitable pain as I realized it wasn't who I thought it was.
I sure hope they get some closure. Just awful. As BAD as I feel for these people, I can't help but wonder what a mother was thinking even 33 years ago by letting a 6 year old walk out of eyesight to a bus stop. My Grandmother didn't even do that. I am not sure at what age I would be comfortable letting my 3 girls walk alone, but I can guarantee it would't be anywhere near 6. I see kids daily who walk to and from school in our neighborhood ALONE, and one is in my middle child's kindergarten class. I always worry about her and try to leave the house with my kids when she does. She only lives 3 houses down, and the school is more than a mile away. She is also the 5/6 year old that is running the neighborhood when her parents have NO clue where she is. We live in a darn nice area, so the risk is lower, but not low enough to let my children run free. It makes me sick to think of what could happen, and what those people cold have done to prevent it.
@Destiny..seriously? Back then we all walked to school alone......