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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lawyer: Suspect indicted in 1979 death of NYC boy

Tom Hays Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The lawyer for the suspect in the infamous 1979 disappearance of a 6-year-old New York City boy says his client has been indicted on charges of murder and kidnapping.

Attorney Harvey Fishbein says 51-year-old Pedro Hernandez is being charged in the disappearance of Etan Patz (AY’-tahn PAYTS’). Hernandez, of Maple Shade, N.J., was arrested this year and investigators say he confessed.

Etan’s disappearance led to an intensive search and spawned a movement to publicize cases of missing children. His photo was among the first put on milk cartons, and his case turned May 25 into National Missing Children’s Day.

Fishbein has said Hernandez is mentally ill and has a history of hallucinations.